The squad for India’s tour of England will be announced in two weeks’ time, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed. The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to meet and discuss potential selections before the Indian Premier League final.
Speaking to India Today, Saikia remained tight-lipped about the inclusion of senior campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, saying the selectors would decide on their participation in the much-anticipated tour of England.
India are set to play five Tests in England from 20 June to 4 August, marking the start of their new World Test Championship cycle. Having missed out on reaching the WTC final for the first time in three editions, India will be keen to make an early statement.
India will be sending their ‘A’ team for three four-day matches against England Lions from May 30. Some of the Test regulars are expected to be part of the A tour and depart to England as early as May 25.
However, it promises to be a tough challenge as they head to England on the back of two consecutive Test series defeats. India suffered a historic 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand, followed by a 1-3 drubbing in Australia. The tour Down Under exposed vulnerabilities in the Indian side, with senior players Rohit and Kohli struggling for form.
While Rohit managed just 164 runs in eight matches during the 2024-25 season, Kohli, despite scoring a century in the series opener in Perth, failed to maintain consistency and accumulated only 85 runs across the final four Tests.
Rohit even opted out of the fifth and final Test in Australia but later clarified that this was not an indication of his retirement from Test cricket.
Speculation over the Test futures of both Rohit and Kohli is rife, and their selection for the England tour could prove decisive. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has insisted there is room in the side for anyone who is performing.
“Till the time they (Rohit and Kohli) are performing, they should be part of the team. When you start and when you end is your individual decision,” Gambhir told ABP News.
“No coach, no selector, no BCCI can tell you when you should call it quits. If you perform, then why 40? You can jolly well play till 45 – who’s stopping you?” he added.
It remains to be seen whether the selectors and team management will retain faith in 38-year-old Rohit, especially as India begin a fresh World Test Championship campaign.
ENGLAND VS INDIA, TEST SERIES SCHEDULE IN 2025
- 1st Test: June 20-24 – Headingley, Leeds
- 2nd Test: July 2-6 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
- 3rd Test: July 10-14 – Lord’s, London
- 4thTest: July 23-27 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- 5th Test: July 31-August 4 – The Kia Oval, London