Shardul Thakur Discusses New Test Leadership Ahead of England Series

India's New Test Leadership

As India gears up for a five-match Test series against England, star all-rounder Shardul Thakur has shared insights on the distinct personalities of the newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant.

On Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant stepping in as his deputy for the upcoming series.

In a conversation with Boria Majumdar on Revsportz, Thakur remarked, "Both are exceptional players and represent the future of Indian cricket. Their personalities differ significantly; Shubman is serious and composed, while Rishabh brings a lively and humorous energy. This contrast is their unique strength. They have both excelled on major platforms, showcasing their potential for India's cricketing future."

Upcoming Series Details

The Test series against England is scheduled from June to August 2025, featuring matches at notable venues including Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London).

Squad Updates

India has included Abhimanyu Easwaran in the Test squad. Easwaran, a seasoned player in domestic cricket for Bengal, has participated in 101 first-class matches, accumulating 7,674 runs at an impressive average of 48.87, including 27 centuries and 29 fifties. However, he faced challenges during his last tour to Australia, scoring only 36 runs across four innings.

In light of Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket, emerging talents like Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair have been incorporated into the middle order.

On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the attack in England, supported by fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Shardul Thakur.

India's Test Squad for the England Series

The selected players for the Test series against England are as follows: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.