With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma out of India’s Test squad for the England tour, the team enters a new era led by youngsters like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gill is the likely captain, with KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer expected to play key roles in the batting order. Rishabh Pant returns as vice-captain and wicketkeeper, while Ravindra Jadeja leads the spin department. Emerging talents like Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy, and Karun Nair offer fresh depth. The pace attack will rotate around Bumrah and Siraj. This series marks a bold transition for India in the post-Rohit-Virat era.
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With Kohli and Rohit out, Shubman Gill is the front-runner for Test captaincy, signaling a youth-driven leadership shift that aligns with India's long-term WTC goals.
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, India may rely on left-handers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan to counter England’s swing-heavy new ball attack at the top.
KL Rahul offers valuable flexibility — he could either open or anchor the middle-order depending on team balance, especially if Pant bats at No. 5.
With Kohli stepping away, Iyer is poised to return after 16 months, potentially slotting into the pivotal No. 4 position that defined Kohli’s Test dominance.
Having smashed runs for Vidarbha, Karun Nair could finally return to the Test fold after an 8-year gap, bringing valuable red-ball experience.
Pant’s return bolsters the middle order. As vice-captain and a dynamic left-hander, he’s central to India’s Test batting blueprint overseas.
The young all-rounder impressed in Australia and brings middle-order stability and a seam option — crucial for English conditions.
Jadeja’s proven Test record in England ensures he’ll be India’s go-to all-rounder, especially with his lower-order runs and left-arm spin.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj headline the pace attack, but Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep could rotate in a long five-match series.
Without Virat and Rohit, India’s XI will look radically different, featuring several uncapped or recently recalled names — a bold WTC 2025-27 reset.
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