India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, is excited at the opportunity to lead the team in England. After two consecutive series defeats, Gill will mark the beginning of a new era without India’s two veteran batters — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The captain-coach duo will have a tough task on their hands after losing two consecutive Test series, including a 0-3 whitewash to New Zealand at home and a 1-3 drubbing by Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and others will leave for England on June 6. India will play a four-day closed-door practice match against India A in Beckenham, London, starting June 13. Gill and Gambhir have a lot to answer for, as barring Yashasvi Jaiswal’s opening spot, the entire batting order is set for a revision, including captain Gill’s spot. India hasn’t won a Test series in England since 2007. Hence, that will be an added pressure on the young captain, who had failed to cement his position in India’s Test XI.
India vs England Press Conference
Tough challenge ahead
After missing out on the WTC Final spot, the new Test cycle will begin on June 20 in Leeds. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both quitting Test cricket, Shubman Gill will lead an inexperienced squad. KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Karun Nair are the only players with meaningful experience in batting in English conditions.
However, India’s bowling department looks stronger than England’s. England will miss Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson for the 1st Test. Wood is likely to miss the entire series, while Archer and Atkinson are set to be part of the series at some point.
India Test squad
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
England Test squad for 1st Test
Ben Stokes (Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
IND vs ENG Test schedule
| Match | Start Date | End Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-up match | June 13 | June 16 | 3:30 PM IST | Beckenham, London |
| 1st Test | June 20 | June 24 | 3:30 PM IST | Headingley, Leeds |
| 2nd Test | July 2 | July 6 | 3:30 PM IST | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| 3rd Test | July 10 | July 14 | 3:30 PM IST | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
| 4th Test | July 23 | July 27 | 3:30 PM IST | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 5th Test | July 31 | Aug 4 | 3:30 PM IST | Kennington Oval, London |
