The long-awaited announcement is finally here. The BCCI selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has revealed India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in England. With Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain, and Rishabh Pant will serve as his vice-captain.
Following the retirements of Rohit and Virat Kohli, the selectors have introduced fresh talent to reshape the batting lineup. Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur return to the squad, while Arshdeep Singh, Sai Sudharsan, and Abhimanyu Easwaran are in line for potential Test debuts.
However, the squad announcement also came with a few surprises, as some notable players were left out of the England tour. This series marks India’s first challenge in the new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle, and the team will aim to begin the campaign on a strong note. Let’s take a look at three key omissions from the squad.
Mohammed Shami
There was considerable buzz around Mohammed Shami’s potential return to the Indian Test squad following his appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and a few matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025.
Mohammed Shami’s omission from the upcoming England tour surprised many fans and cricket experts alike. After showcasing his skills in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and playing several matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, expectations were high for his inclusion in the Test squad. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Shami is currently not fully match-fit to handle the rigors of Test cricket.
Given the demanding nature of the longer format and Shami’s recent workload, the management decided it was prudent to rest him and carefully manage his fitness. This decision reflects the team’s focus on balancing player workload to maintain peak performance and avoid injuries over the long season. While fans will miss Shami’s presence on the England tour, the selectors believe this break will help him recover and prepare better for future Test commitments, ensuring his longevity in the Indian cricket setup.
Sarfaraz Khan
India had a promising middle-order option in Sarfaraz Khan, who began his Test career on a high, scoring three fifties in five innings during the England series. He followed that up with his maiden Test century against New Zealand at home.
Sarfaraz Khan began his Test career with great promise, establishing himself as a dependable middle-order batsman for India. In his debut series against England, he impressed by scoring three half-centuries in five innings, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure at the highest level. Building on this strong start, Sarfaraz scored his maiden Test century during India’s last home series against New Zealand, further solidifying his credentials. Despite these performances, he was surprisingly sidelined for the entire Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, where the team opted for other players in the middle order.
Now, for the upcoming England tour in 2025, Sarfaraz has been dropped from the Test squad altogether. The decision raises questions, especially given his earlier contributions, but it appears the selectors are looking to explore different combinations or focus on players they believe better suit the current team strategy and conditions. This move marks a setback for Sarfaraz, who will now aim to regain his place through strong performances elsewhere.
Harshit Rana
Another notable omission is Delhi pacer Harshit Rana, who debuted across all three formats in the past year. Harshit Rana played in two Test matches during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024–25, where he took four wickets. Alongside his Test appearances, he was also a valuable contributor to India’s white-ball squads leading up to the IPL 2025. Known for his ability to generate good bounce, Rana was considered a potential asset for the upcoming England tour, where such skills often prove advantageous on the pitches.
Despite these strengths, the selectors decided to leave him out of the Test squad for the England series. Instead, they chose to go with other fast bowlers, including Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Shardul Thakur. This decision suggests that the team management preferred to back these options, possibly due to their recent performances, experience, or fitness levels. Rana’s omission came as a surprise to some, considering his promising performances and suitability for English conditions.
