With the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two key spots have opened up in the playing XI, sending Indian into an immediate transitionary phase. The availability of two spots in the playing XI in turn, has opened up places in the extended squad as well. The Indian Test team is at a critical juncture, having lost back-to-back series against New Zealand and Australia. They need a strong showing in England to restore belief—and who better to lead the charge than Gautam Gambhir, a man who has always worn his heart on his sleeve.

However, Gambhir will be under pressure due to the recent results and he would like to carefully handpick the men he wants to surround himself with, in what might turn out to be a tough away tour against the Bazballing England.

This Indian team will truly be a Gautam Gambhir side, as he is expected to have significant input on squad selection following the retirements of the two senior players. New faces are expected to be included in the Test squad, especially since India have already named several rising stars in their A team.

On that note, here’s how India’s 16-member squad could look for the England Test tour:

Batters

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul should be given the opener’s slot, considering the partnership they forged in Australia in 2024–25. Rahul’s experience of opening in English conditions could prove invaluable on this tour.

Shubman Gill transitioned to No. 3 once India moved on from Cheteshwar Pujara in the red-ball format. It might be time for him to move down one more spot and take over Virat Kohli’s role. Shubman has the technique and temperament to control the pace of the game and should be earmarked as the next great in red-ball cricket.

Wicketkeeper

Rishabh Pant

The X-factor of the team—Rishabh Pant should be the first-choice keeper in the Test format. He is already out of the ODI and T20I squads and had a disappointing season in the Indian Premier League.

It would benefit him if the Indian management shows some trust during the England tour. Dhruv Jurel can be named as Pant’s backup.

Spinner

The toss-up will be between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Gambhir has shown a preference for Sundar during his brief stint with the Indian team, but it will likely be Jadeja who gets the nod.

Kuldeep Yadav is likely to miss out on the England Tests.

Fast Bowlers

Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep

This is the pace attack India will rely on to win the Test series. The last time India toured England, in 2021, Virat Kohli’s team rattled the English side. Under Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership, India have been potent with the ball, but they’ll need to find consistency to turn flashes of brilliance into sustained success.

Mohammed Shami is the most prominent name expected to miss out. Concerns over Shami’s fitness ahead of the England tour have kept him out of Test action since the WTC Final in 2023.

Another name likely to miss the cut is Arshdeep Singh, who hasn’t been named in the A squad either.

India’s Probable 16 in England

Probable Playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep

Reserves

Abhimanyu Easwaran, Washington Sundar, Karun Nair, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh

India’s Bench Strength

India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran will be only specialist back-up opener for this team. Apart from Easwaran, India are likely to name Karun Nair in the extended squad after thej terrific domestic season he has had. Washington Sundar is expected to get the nod as the second spinner, especially after he was chosen ahead of R Ashwin in the Australia series.

The remaining two spots are expected to go to two fast bowlers Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, so that India can rotate their pacers and avoid short and long term injuries.

India will also have the option of calling up players from the A team, who will be playing in England before the Test series.

INDIA A Squad for England

India A squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey

Note: Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will join India A for the second and third tour game of the series.