Five Emerging Players to Watch for India's Upcoming Test Series Against England
India's Test Squad Transition
India's Test cricket team is undergoing a significant transition due to several retirements. This article explores five promising players who may debut in the upcoming Test series against England, which is set to commence on June 20.
Upcoming England Tour
The Indian team is scheduled to travel to England for a five-match Test series starting June 20. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is anticipated to announce the squad later this week, including the appointment of a new Test captain.
Focus on New Talent
Following the retirements of key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, the team management is prioritizing the development of the next generation of red-ball specialists to address the skills gap in the squad.
Potential Test Debutants
As the squad announcement approaches, here are five players who could potentially make their Test debuts during the series against England.
1. Abhimanyu Easwaran
Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for Bengal and India A. He received his first call-up for the Test series against Australia last year but was ultimately replaced by Devdutt Padikkal due to a lackluster performance in prior matches. Easwaran has been a regular in India A, traveling to various countries, and will lead the team in upcoming matches against England Lions. His first-class statistics include 7,674 runs, with 27 centuries and 29 fifties, averaging 48.87 over 101 matches.
2. Harsha Dubey
Mumbai all-rounder Harsha Dubey had a commendable season in the Ranji Trophy 2024/25, taking 23 wickets and scoring 314 runs, including two fifties, with an average of 34 across six matches. He has been included in the squad for the England tour and will be closely observed by selectors during the India A matches.
3. Tanush Kotian
Tanush Kotian was selected as a replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin in the India squad for the remaining Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. He is viewed as a potential successor to Ashwin and could be included as an additional spin-bowling all-rounder. Kotian's first-class career boasts 1,809 runs, including two centuries and 15 fifties, with an average of 42.06, alongside 112 wickets at an economy rate of 3.30 over 37 matches.
4. Sai Sudharsan
Tamil Nadu's Sai Sudharsan has been making headlines with his impressive performances in the IPL for Gujarat Titans. At just 22, he is being considered for the Test squad as a backup opener following Rohit Sharma's retirement. Sudharsan's first-class record includes 1,957 runs, with seven centuries and five fifties, averaging 39.93 in 29 matches. His experience in County cricket with Sussex has further honed his skills for English conditions.
5. Anshul Kamboj
Anshul Kamboj gained attention after taking all 10 wickets in an innings for Haryana in a Ranji Trophy match. He had a stellar season, claiming 34 wickets at an average of 13.79 and an economy rate of 2.80 in six matches. Kamboj is also part of the India A squad and can contribute with the bat as a lower-order option. His first-class stats include 74 wickets and 410 runs at an average of 14.64 over 22 matches.
6. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, a bowler for Punjab and Punjab Kings, is another candidate for the Test squad, particularly due to the need for a left-arm seamer in England. Although he was not included in the India A squad, selectors are likely monitoring his performance in the ongoing IPL season. With 16 wickets in 11 matches this season, his experience in England during County stints with Kent could be beneficial for the team.