Team India prepares for life after Kohli and Rohit

ALL EYES ON SELECTION AND CAPTAINCY FOR ENGLAND TEST SERIES

- BY A.K.S. SATISH

India’s Test team is on the brink of transformation. With the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format, a new chapter is about to begin led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has reportedly requested full autonomy ahead of the upcoming five-Test series in England, starting June 20.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the selection committee and Gambhir are expected to meet soon to finalise the squad and address key gaps — including leadership and middle-order vacancies. With the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle kicking off in Leeds, the pressure is immense.

Gill-Pant to take charge

Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to be named Test captain, with Rishabh Pant likely to serve as his deputy. Jasprit Bumrah, who captained India to a memorable win in Perth last year, was also in the reckoning. But a fresh injury blow in the Sydney Test may rule him out of contention, given his long history of workload management.

Gambhir, who has already been spotted in Mumbai, is expected to leave with the first batch of Test players on June 6, depending on their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 commitments. The rest of the squad will travel after their franchise duties conclude in Season 18.