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As the Indian team departed for England from Mumbai airport on Friday, vice-captain Rishabh Pant joked when asked about the absence of former Test captain Rohit Sharma. With a grin, Pant quipped, “Garden mein ghoom rahe hain” (He`s roaming around in his garden). When asked if he would miss the garden, Pant added, “Garden ki bahut yaad aayegi (I’ll miss the garden a lot).”
Paps to Rishabh pant : “Rohit Sharma sir kidar hai”
Rishabh pant : “garden, mein Ghum Rahe hain”
Paps : “sir apko yaad ayegi ki nahi garden ki”
Rishabh : “garden ki to bahot yaad ayegi bhai”🥺Everyone is missing Rohit Sharma.😿 pic.twitter.com/wFt9s04TK7
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) June 6, 2025
The upcoming five-match Test series, beginning June 20, marks a significant transition in Indian cricket. India will embark on a bilateral Test series for the first time since Rohit and Virat Kohli announced their retirements from Test cricket in May. With young Shubman Gill appointed as captain and Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy, India’s red-ball side is entering a new era.
The highly anticipated series will span across England from June to August, with matches slated at iconic venues including Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord’s and The Oval (London), and Old Trafford (Manchester). Given the historical context, the pressure will be immense, India last won a Test series on English soil in 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s leadership.
This time, however, the Indian squad have a rejuvenated look. Left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan has earned his maiden Test call-up, while seasoned domestic performers Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran could finally get their opportunities on the international stage if selected in the playing XI. The squad composition suggests a focus on youth and long-term planning, with selectors keen on grooming future stalwarts.
To acclimatise to English conditions, several members of the Indian squad have already been participating in India A’s warm-up fixtures against the England Lions. The remaining players, including key members of the main squad, are expected to land in the UK later on Friday. Their preparation will include intra-squad games and red-ball simulations leading up to the first Test. The first match of India A’s warm-up fixtures ended in a draw, while the second unofficial Test is set to begin on Friday, June 6, at the County Ground in Northampton.
India`s Test squad for England series: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
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