India Squad vs England: Yashasvi Jaiswal To Open With KL Rahul, Shubman Gill No. 4, Big Surprise At No. 3 - Report

By Admin

24 May, 2025

The excitement is building up as Indian cricket fans await the official squad announcement for the much-anticipated five-Test tour of England, set to begin on June 20 at Headingley. This series marks the dawn of a new era in Indian Test cricket, as it will be the first major assignment post the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Test format.

A New Batting Line-up in the Making

The Indian team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, is reportedly finalizing a fresh-look batting order. According to a report by Cricbuzz, KL Rahul is likely to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, forming a left-right combination at the top. This decision reflects the team’s intent to bring stability and experience to the opening slot.

What comes as a bigger twist is the positioning of Shubman Gill, who, instead of opening, is expected to bat at No. 4, a spot long held by Virat Kohli. This reshuffle has created room at No. 3, which could be filled by one of the domestic circuit’s rising stars.

Sudharshan or Karun Nair at No. 3?

The No. 3 slot could turn out to be the most interesting development in the squad. According to reports, Sai Sudharshan and Karun Nair are in contention for a call-up after impressive performances in domestic cricket. Although Sudharshan is one of the standout openers in the ongoing IPL 2025, he might have to adapt to a new role in the longer format.

Cricbuzz notes that Sudharshan has impressed the selectors, but his Test role could be different from his IPL responsibilities. Meanwhile, Karun Nair, with Test experience and a historic triple century under his belt, is also being considered for a comeback into the red-ball format.

Shami's Absence Likely

While the focus remains on the batting lineup, India might face a major setback in the bowling department. According to ESPNcricinfo, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is unlikely to be part of the England tour, despite being fit enough to bowl for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The reason? Lack of red-ball match fitness and adequate workload management.

A BCCI medical team reportedly assessed Shami’s condition in Lucknow ahead of Hyderabad’s fixture against RCB. Although Shami has not featured in Test cricket since the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023, the final decision will depend on the medical report. However, the signs point toward the selectors playing it safe and opting against risking Shami for the demanding five-Test series.

Leadership Question Remains

Another major talking point is the team’s leadership. With Rohit Sharma stepping away from the red-ball captaincy, it remains unclear who will be entrusted with the responsibility to lead the side in England. Options such as KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and even Ravindra Jadeja could be considered, but no confirmation has come from the BCCI yet.

Conclusion

The upcoming squad announcement could bring significant changes and usher in a new generation of Indian Test cricketers. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul at the top, Shubman Gill moving down the order, and the possibility of fresh faces like Sudharshan or Nair at No. 3, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the team shapes up for the English challenge. Coupled with the uncertainty around Shami and leadership decisions, India’s tour of England promises to be a series of surprises and new beginnings.