The highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and England is about to get underway on June 20 at Leeds. The Indian team is equipped with a proportional blend of youth and experience and will be led by a new captain in the form of Shubman Gill. Ahead of the first Test, the Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar offered words of inspiration to his Tamil Nadu teammate Sai Sudharsan, who has been drafted in this tour to represent India in whites for the first time. 

See also: ENG vs IND: India's first XI revealed! Gautam Gambhir praised 3 players particularly

Washi's praise for Sudharsan goes viral

During a close interaction, Sundar was impressed to see how Sudharsan advanced in his cricketing career and improved his game over the years. The 25-year-old admitted that he has only gotten better in the last three to four years and that trend is likely to continue in the years to come. 

Sudharsan, in response, thanked Washi for his compliment and revealed that he has always considered him as an idol from a very young age and also played a fair amount of cricket with him during his foundational years. 

Washington Sundar said, "Sai Sudharsan has only gotten better in the last 3-4 years. I'm very happy for him".

Sudharsan said, "I've played with Washi from a very young age, he's one of my inspirations". ❤️

Washington Sundar said, "Sai Sudharsan has only gotten better in the last 3-4 years. I'm very happy for him".

Sudharsan said, "I've played with Washi from a very young age, he's one of my inspirations". ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4QU9b0Ff4v

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 16, 2025

Both Sundar and Sudharsan have represented their home state, Tamil Nadu, in a number of first-class and List-A games and have shared the dressing room on several instances. The duo knows their game from in and out and have been backing each other ever since they started playing the game. The two prolific players have a deep bond of friendship between them, and are known to often complement each other to uplift their morale. 

Washington is one of the three bowling all-rounders selected for this tour, along with Ravi Jadeja and Nitish Reddy. With attributes a lot similar to Ravi Ashwin, Washington can come good with the bat and the ball, just like his predecessor, and can come across as someone who could fill the shoes of Ashwin. On the flipside, the retirement of Rohit Sharma has left a void for India at the top of the order. That void can now be filled as Sudharsan will have an opportunity to open the innings alongside Jaiswal for the first time in his Test career. 

Shubman Gill, who is going to captain Team India in the coming series against England, recently opened up about his leadership style. Talking a day before the highly anticipated tour, Gill said that he doesn't have a specific style as it keeps evolving. "I don't have a particular style in mind. You play and you keep developing these things," he explained, emphasizing the importance of adaptive leadership. His philosophy is centered on establishing rapport with players and having them feel secure and confident within the team setup.

Communication will be a major factor in his strategy, states Gill. "I like to talk to the players. I would try to make them comfortable with their strengths and weaknesses. The players should feel secure; then only will they perform well," he said. Gill wants to instill a positive culture in which players feel comfortable taking the initiative or claiming performances for themselves. Trust and belonging will be central to him getting the best out of his players.

The young skipper also emphasized the need to be tactically alert against a physical England team. "If we are going proactive with our plans, it would put them under pressure," he said. Instead of believing in numbers, Gill is more concerned with establishing the tone by intent and clarity of thought. His focus on mindset and preparation speaks volumes about how he will lead, inspired by confidence, flexibility, and learning.

A Calm, Communication-Based Leadership Vision

Gill's utterances reflect an advanced realization of what leadership in global cricket is about. Rather than strict strategies, Gill holds a place for fluidity and emotional quotient — precious but essential qualities for one entering giants' shoes abandoned by icons like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

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While he acknowledges the massive void left by the two icons, Gill is clear that pressure is part of the job. “We’re all used to that by now,” he said, showing no signs of being daunted. For Gill, this tour is not just about performances but about laying the foundation for a new leadership era. came with authority.

In a recent interview, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has opened up a conversation in the lead-up to the eagerly awaited upcoming India vs. England Test series regarding the appointment of Shubman Gill as India's captain. Gavaskar spoke about the high-pressure situation of leading the national team and possibly getting Gill to understand that being captain brings different pressures in terms of being not only a teammate but also the captain. He mentioned that in the previous roles, a player may have been able to converse with a few teammates at a time, but as captain, you have to command respect from others, which means that your behavior is more important than an individual's results. 

Gavaskar's comments really encapsulate the difficulties Gill has as a somewhat inexperienced leader. Gavaskar did acknowledge the fact Gill may not have much experience in captaincy but also called the decision to pick the Indian team a brave decision by the selectors. "It is a great team, and it has been selected while keeping in mind that this is the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle, so you would want these players to play for the next two or more years. This is also a bold move because Shubman Gill doesn't have much experience as captain, but there are many other experienced players in the side like Jasprit Bumrah, Karun Nair, and Rishabh Pant, so it indeed is a very well-selected team." He added

Gavaskar's comments and his willingness to discuss captaincy to maintain the culture within the team bring with them a sense of optimism in how the team is structured. The selection committee decided to screen players with an eye towards the future, with the Test series against England being a key fixture in the World Test Championship, so they have picked the players they feel will be able to contribute over the coming years. Gavaskar taking responsibility for the selections reflects his faith in Gill to develop into the captaincy role if he reacts well to the pressures involved in captaincy.

A Bold Leadership Choice

The selectors must be feeling extremely bold picking Gill as captain considering he has little international leadership experience. Gavaskar feels that the returning experience of Bumrah, Nair, and Pant will help Gill take the captaincy in his stride. Those three players played in England as part of a larger group and could be at least consulted when Gill has to make decisions in the middle of a high-pressure Test week against a very good England side.

Also Read: [WATCH] Harry Brook’s one-handed stunner leaves Ben Stokes speechless in ENG vs ZIM one-off Test match

The India vs. England series will test Gill's effectiveness as captain and the performance of the team. It's an exciting time for him and the team as this World Test Championship cycle is just beginning, and the selection committee’s belief in Gill as a youthful captain with a strong supporting-player core signals a long-term commitment to Indian cricket. Gavaskar’s remarks highlight the importance of Gill’s ability to lead by example, fostering respect and unity within the team to kick off the championship cycle on a strong note.

The announcement of India's Test squad for the five-match series against England came with several changes - one of the major exclusions was Shreyas Iyer, the middle-order batter who has batted for India. Iyer performed well last season domestically, and while he had represented India in Tests and contributed to the team previously, it felt strange for the selectors to omit Iyer, considering they have picked Shubman Gill as captain and Shreyas Iyer has been under-dropped consistently for long periods when we should have had the option to choose him. This has sparked talk in the cricketing fraternity about whether he was dropped for a lack of form or fitness or if it was a team strategy. 

Shreyas Iyer played 12 Tests for India, where he made 715 runs at a 39.72 average; he has one century and five fifties. Stepping into the Indian Team for the first time against New Zealand was strong; scoring 105 in the first innings and 65 in the second. It prompted readers to place Iyer as dependable in the middle order batter. However, Iyer's performances dipped in subsequent series. In his last five Tests, he averaged 16.80 for the Indian Team and struggled against good pace, particularly with short-pitched deliveries. The Indian Test selectors have looked at his last domestic season for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy with 480 runs in five matches at an average of 68.57, but they still seem to be signaling a longer-term view of whether Iyer is a player who is good overseas. 

Moreover, balancing the state of the team and looking ahead was also twofold. With the impending retirements of some of the senior team batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the team is entering a rebuilding phase. Young talents have been preferred for their recent form and technical adaptability, particularly in swinging and seaming English conditions. This infers that the emphasis of the selectors is to select players that have demonstrated temperament in red ball and were not solely selected on international experience.

The Shift towards Youth and more Specialization

The method of selection clearly indicates a move toward more format-specific roles — example. While Iyer is still a likely candidate in ODIs and T20Is, there have been considerable question marks surrounding his technique versus fast bowling in Test cricket on foreign soil conditions. The selections favored players who have demonstrated a repetition of domestic red ball performance and/or a stable defensive technique as part of the selection for the tour of England.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: Team India Test squad out for England tour – big surprises in selection

While there is concern with Iyer not being selected, this could be a temporary phase. Iyer’s future in Test cricket could hinge on ensuring adjustments to his game and continuing to perform in future domestic tier appeals; while the door remains ajar, at this time India is, without a doubt, prying for player outcomes based on continued red ball performance/experience and ability to adapt to English conditions.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now made it official: Shubman Gill has taken charge as the new captain of the Indian Test cricket team ahead of a five-match series against England. This is a momentous change in leadership, as the series will also mark the end of Rohit Sharma's prolific Test career. It also marks the start of India’s campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship, with the first Test scheduled to take place on June 20, 2025.

At only 25 years of age, Gill has been placed in the hot seat for one of the most difficult assignments in international cricket — a Test series in England. Although Gill has experience captaining the under-19 Indian side against England and the Indian T20I side and Gujarat Titans IPL side, this will be Gill's first time as a captain in Test cricket. The appointed vice-captain will be Rishabh Pant, who is a fearless batsman and is not afraid of playing overseas.

Aside from selecting the captain and vice-captain of the Test squad, the squad announcement signals a clear intent to expand a squad that balances veteran players with emerging players. The inclusion of Karun Nair (who hasn't played Test since 2017) and Sai Sudharsan shows that emerging talent alongside veteran players (like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja) shows that Indian cricket is preparing for a transitional period with an eye on long-term stability and performance.

A New Beginning Starts in the World Test Championship Cycle

India’s five-match Test series in England will be the first assignment for Gill as captain and will test his tactical mind in tough overseas conditions. The selection of the squad suggests that the selectors are willing to go with fresh faces while still keeping a core of match-winners. The bowling attack is new with Mohammed Shami out due to fitness concerns, and in his place are young pacers such as Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh. 

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The selected squad for the series is Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav. With a combination of youth and experience, India is expected to have innings stability with ample firepower to conquer English conditions.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed the India A team for the upcoming shadow tour of England, where they will face off against the England Lions in an important preparation series. Meant to provide up-and-coming Indian talent with exposure to English conditions, the tour is meant to play a crucial role in developing future Test and ODI stars.

The team will be captained by Abhimanyu Easwaran, with Dhruv Jurel as vice-captain. The complete list comprises Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Manav Suthar, Shams Mulani, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Ravi Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, and Harsh Dubey. The team offers a balanced combination of youth and experience in departments.

The pace attack is particularly robust with the likes of Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, and Khaleel Ahmed, while the spinning unit will be managed by the likes of Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey, and Mulani. Young batters like Jaiswal, Gaikwad, and Sarfaraz will form the backbone of India A's fortunes.

Gill & Sudharsan to Shore Up Team from Second Match

Joining firepower to the batting lineup, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will be part of the team before the second match of the tour. Both are expected to add more strength to the top order of the team and give leadership experience to the young team.

Also Read: WATCH: Rohit Sharma's emotional speech at the Mumbai Cricket Association stand Naming ceremony

With the senior squad's tour of England looming on the horizon, this shadow tour presents an important chance for fringe players to come through and establish themselves abroad, in front of the selectors and team management.

Veteran Indian leg-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has added fuel to an India captaincy controversy for their forthcoming Test series against England on June 20, 2025, in Headingley by suggesting a surprise candidate to captain the side in Ravindra Jadeja. Talking on his YouTube show 'Ash Ki Baat' on May 15, 2025, Ashwin recognized the common sentiment supporting Shubman Gill, who has been groomed to lead and recently took Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2025 points table top, but also brought to the forefront Jasprit Bumrah as a strong candidate before pushing for Jadeja, saying, "Everybody is saying that Shubman Gill is the Test captain. All are heading that way. But there is a big voice in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we overlook Ravindra Jadeja?"

Ashwin's endorsement of Jadeja comes in a period of transition for Indian Test cricket, after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the game earlier this month. A lot of experience comes with Jadeja, who has 312 Test wickets and 3,036 runs in 74 Tests, and he was a significant factor in India's success in the 2018-19 Test series in Australia.  Ashwin noted Jadeja's leadership ambitions, referencing his brief time as captain of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL in 2022 and his goal to captain India, stating that "the most experienced man in the side is Ravindra Jadeja."

A New Era for Indian Test Cricket

Recent news, though, points to trouble for the other candidates, as Bumrah has ruled himself out of the captaincy contest on workload grounds, given that he might not play all five Tests, and Gill does not have experience leading India in Tests or ODIs. The selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, will soon convene later this month to finalize the team and captain, as Jadeja's name now gathers momentum.

Also Read: First look of Rohit Sharma Stand at Wankhede Stadium leaked online

Ashwin's recommendation of Jadeja may be a tactical decision to use the all-rounder's know-how to lead an inexperienced group in a tough series in England, signaling the beginning of the next World Test Championship cycle. In the absence of the likes of Kohli and Sharma, the selected skipper will be under tremendous pressure, and Ashwin's proposal is the turning point for India's future in Test cricket.

India's Test captaincy is a major point of debate for fans and the BCCI, particularly following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. With the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle currently underway, beginning with a five-match series in England in June 2025, the race to replace Rohit Sharma is officially on. Three players stand out—Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant—and have their own very different positives and negatives.

1. Shubman Gill—The Emerging Leader

Shubmanl, 25, is one of the country's brightest young batters. He has played 22 tests for 1,325 runs at a 32.31 average, 4 centuries, and 1 double century. He has led Gujarat Titans in the IPL, and everyone views him as a potential future leader. He struggled to be consistent in the last series against Australia. The selection committee might still consider developing Gill to lead India as a long-term captain, as he has a leader's temperament and is still young.

2. KL Rahul—The Experienced Campaigner

KL Rahul, 33, has been a reliable part of Indian cricket, as he has led the Test team before, and he has played in 52 tests and scored 2,993 runs at a 33.25 average, and scored 7 centuries and 13 fifties. He has captained India in three Test matches in the past and won two. Injuries and inconsistent play hindered his ability to build on momentum, but Rahul's coolness under pressure would be a tremendous help when faced with tough playing conditions abroad (i.e., England).

Also Read: T20 Mumbai League 2025 auction: List of players sold, top bids and full team news

3. Rishabh Pant—The X-Factor

Rishabh Pant, Pant, 27, has established himself as one of India’s most influential players in the Test arena. He has played 33 matches and scored 2271 runs at a 43.67 average, with 5 centuries and 11 fifties. Some of his memorable innings in Australia and England have defined him as a cricketer, and he certainly embodies the aggressive nature of a modern-day batsman who changes games with his fearless brand of cricket. Despite a long injury layoff, Pant’s return to competitive cricket and leadership stints with Delhi Capitals in the IPL put him firmly in contention. Former players and fans alike have rallied behind him as a bold, dynamic captaincy choice.

Following Rohit Sharma's retirement, the issue of the captaincy has emerged as Indian cricket's most debated topic. Will the selectors choose Gill's potential, Rahul's consistency, or Pant's exuberance? The choice will define India's Test journey's next chapter.

In an exciting match of the IPL 2025 season, Jasprit Bumrah provided one of the highlight moments of the day during the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT). At a point when GT were sitting comfortably at 113/2 in the 14.4 over of their chase of MI's 155/8, Bumrah produced a "dream" delivery to dismiss GT Captain Shubman Gill, and with that opened the door for MI to get back into the game. At the time of Gill's dismissal, GT were chasing 43 runs off of 32 balls, so this was a crucial moment for MI in the match.

The match, played on May 6, 2025, at the Wankhede Stadium, saw MI post a modest total, thanks to Will Jacks’ 53 and Suryakumar Yadav’s 35. Gill was on 43 off of 45 balls whilst Sherfane Rutherford played a quick innings of 27 not out. Regardless of the rain that had already interrupted play as well, Bumrah's dismissal at this point was the highlight. Bumrah is known for his unconventional action and ability to bowl strictly to a plan and consistently land the ball on the target. On this delivery Bumrah bowled a beautifully executed yorker. Gill could not flick the ball off of his toes, and as Gill attempted to do so, Bumrah rattled his stumps! This was a classic Bumrah delivery, which assists in exemplifying why he is one of the best in the world!

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 56: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans Full Match Highlights

Bumrah’s impact didn’t stop there. Above all, as well as bowling first, Boult, who also took a vital wicket, and their fast, aggressive bowling helped pull MI back into the match, despite the rain and wet conditions. Bumrah was unfazed, delivering 4 overs for 19 runs in what can only be described as a beautiful display of pressure bowling! He remarkably consistently hit the stumps, and as a result, froze GT's middle order.

A Game-Changing Spell!

Now, it was one thing to bowl Gill, but when it happened, GT were well ahead on runs at 87/1, and then they realized they were just below the reel-able required, but through Bumrah's spell, Boult's fast bowling, and the defense side of MI, GT were still not scoring runs, and MI had a chance to defend their total.  Sure enough, at the end, GT chased MI's score down, winning by three wickets on the last ball, but Bumrah's magic had kept this special match a contest to the last moment. 

Watch the video here:

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜....𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙒𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙀𝙏𝙎 ☔🤩

Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult with an exhibition of hostility 🥵@mipaltan are right back in the contest 💙

Updates ▶ https://t.co/DdKG6Zn78k #TATAIPL | #MIvGT | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/gvL3X5d8bf

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 6, 2025

Also Read: Top 3 reasons why Mumbai Indians Lost to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 Match 56

Bumrah showed MI, once again, why they will always value him as their ace and why they need to rely on his accuracy! Bumrah's dream ball to Gill should be enshrined as part of IPL 2025 match special memories.

On Tuesday, May 6, Gujarat Titans (GT) won a great match against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Match 56 of IPL 2025. With this big win, GT not only ended the streak of MI’s six-match winning run but also moved to the top of the points table.GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and decided to bowl first.

GT End MI’s Winning Streak in a Rain-Drama at Wankhede

The bowlers started strong, and MI openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharm returned to the Pavilion in the powerplay. MI struggled to build partnerships and managed 156 runs in the first innings. Chasing the target, GT lost Sai Sudharsan early, but Gill and Jos Buttler steadied things with a good partnership. Buttler was looking in touch, but Ashwini Kumar dismissed him before he could do more damage.

Then came Sherfane Rutherford as the impact player smashed 28 runs off just 15 balls, giving GT a much-needed push. However, rain kept interrupting the game, making things tricky in the middle of the match. After the break, Jasprit Bumrah turned the game around for MI by taking key wickets including Gill and Shahrukh Khan.GT was in trouble and needed 31 runs off the last 18 balls, just two runs behind the DLS par score.

 The pressure increased when Ashwini Kumar took another wicket, removing Rashid Khan. With 15 needed from the final over, it was all or nothing. MI gave the ball to Deepak Chahar, but GT held their nerve and chased down the target in the last few balls to win a nail-biter. This win was huge for GT not only did they stop MI’s dream run, but they also gave themselves a big boost in the race to the playoffs.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025: 3 Players Who Can Win Purple Cap In The Ongoing IPL Edition

Twitter reactions after MI wins 56th match of IPL 2025

GUJARAT TITANS BEAT MUMBAI INDIANS AT THE WANKHEDE.

- 15 to chase in the 1 over after rain break, GT does it. 🤯🔥#MIvsGT #MIvGT #TATAIPL #IPL2025 @mipaltan @gujarat_titan #PlayLikeMumbai pic.twitter.com/F7xoRBjdyX

— AmericanDreamerX (@xamerican0056) May 6, 2025

GT won against MI

RCB fans: CSK fans: pic.twitter.com/oFTt1cJZgo

— isHaHaHa (@hajarkagalwa) May 6, 2025

Imagine doing all the cheating & still loosing 😂#GTvsMI #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/ayVWGe3coq

— Musa (@peaceinagony) May 6, 2025

"RCB beating MI when it matters the most " thought we will fraud our way to the final by beating GT in Q1 but these mfs bottled easy win. pic.twitter.com/jwfSGgchXA

— ☘️ (@fxkesque) May 6, 2025

Am not an MI fan but seeing GT win like this feels unfair and shitty to be honest

Don’t think I will ever like GT as a team

Half the time, it feels like they are sleep walking and somehow manage to win the game

— Adi (@arandomguyposts) May 6, 2025

GT pulling an MI using the rain break to sneak in a timeout. Payback season in full swing!🤯 pic.twitter.com/cSrZUvc4G2

— edwin_91003 (@Edwin_91003) May 6, 2025

మీరేనా రా @mipaltan మమ్మల్ని ఫైనల్స్ లో కొడతా అన్నారు @gujarat_titans వాళ్లు బౌలింగ్ కూడా కొట్టలేక పోటీపడి మరీ pavilion ki క్యూ కట్టారు కదరా..😂🤣😂#MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/RN8HBsGC5K

— pandu indian pk&vk cult🦅🇮🇳 (@pandupkvkcult) May 6, 2025

Scenes in GT vs MI Match today#GTvMI #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/D2hCuhSakV

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) March 24, 2024

156 Easy win for GT 👍
SKY, Jacks aadalana idhuvum vandhurkaadhu 💯🫡💙

Only Boom can save us today 💯🧿🚶‍♀️#MIvsGT #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/PUtBO7A7k2

— Sparkle ✨💜 (@PositiveMattume) May 6, 2025

MI activated rain mode, umpire DRS mode, and even prayed for a power cut — but GT still hit the ‘skip ad’ button on all the drama and won.#GTvsMI #MIvGT #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/8flNavrpVB

— Chintan (@CricketChintan) May 6, 2025