India’s selectors are still unsure about who will be the next Test captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement earlier this month. Informal talks have taken place with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, but no final decision has been made yet. The five-match Test series against England starts on June 20, and an official announcement is expected this week.
Rohit Wanted to Retire Mid-Series, But Selectors Said No
Rohit Sharma had planned to play the England series and retire in the middle, just like MS Dhoni did during the 2014 Australia series. But the selectors wanted the team to have one captain for all five Tests. They offered Rohit a place in the squad but not the captaincy, so he chose to retire instead.
Kohli Also Retires from Test Cricket
In another big development, Virat Kohli also announced his Test retirement shortly after Rohit. This leaves India without its two most experienced red-ball players for the England tour.
Bumrah Not in the Race to Be Captain
Jasprit Bumrah, who has captained India in the past, will not be considered this time. He is not expected to play all five Tests due to workload management, so the selectors have ruled him out of the captaincy race.
Two Main Options: Shubman Gill or Rishabh Pant
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is considered a future star. He has shown good technique and calmness, but hasn’t been very consistent in Test cricket yet. Some selectors are unsure if his place in the playing XI is guaranteed and feel he might be better as vice-captain for now.
Gill’s Test Record (as of May 2025):
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Matches: 26
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Runs: 1468
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Average: 34.95
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Centuries: 2
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Fifties: 6
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Highest Score: 128
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant made a strong return to cricket this year after his injury. He is known for performing well in pressure situations and has already played important innings overseas, especially in Australia. Pant has also led Delhi Capitals in the IPL and has more experience under pressure.
Pant’s Test Record (as of May 2025):
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Matches: 35
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Runs: 2271
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Average: 43.67
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Centuries: 5
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Fifties: 11
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Highest Score: 159*
Pant’s attacking batting style and leadership experience make him a strong choice for captaincy, though some might be concerned about his recent injury recovery.
Selectors Still Divided
Even after talking to both players, the selectors haven’t agreed on who should be captain. Some believe Pant is ready for the job, while others want to give Gill more time. The decision is expected soon, along with the announcement of the full Test squad.
Test Series Schedule vs England (2025)
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1st Test: June 20–24 – Headingley
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2nd Test: July 2–6 – Edgbaston
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3rd Test: July 10–14 – Lord’s
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4th Test: July 23–27 – Old Trafford
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5th Test: July 31–August 4 – The Oval
This series will be the start of a new era for Indian Test cricket. With both Rohit and Kohli gone, the new captain will have a big job leading the team in tough English conditions.
About the Author
Arpit Sharma is a sports writer and journalism student at Chandigarh University, with a strong interest in sports analysis and storytelling. His writing combines match insights with a fresh, fan-first perspective that brings the game to life.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr's views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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