Shubman Gil

Former India skipper urges Gautam Gambhir's team India to stop 'Optional Practice' after loss against England in 1st Test

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:52:57 GMT

Legendary Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has called on Shubman Gill and the Indian team to take a short break following their defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley but made it clear that they must switch to intense, full-fledged practice immediately after. Gavaskar emphasized that the team should discard the idea of 'optional practice' and instead focus completely on preparations for the second Test at Edgbaston.

Speaking to Sony Sports, Gavaskar cited Cheteshwar Pujara's example to drive home his point. He explained how Pujara never backed away from training, even during optional sessions, and was often questioned by coaches for pushing himself. "Next couple of days you can take off, but now seriously get into practice. Leave this optional practice aside. You have come here to play for India. So, you practice in a way so that you will give yourself the best chance," he said.

"I mean Cheteshwar Pujara has been part of the optional team. I know when he opted to bat, there have been people who have said, 'What are you doing?' including the coaching staff. I have seen some of the coaching staff, not this one; Cheteshwar was not part of this team. they said, "Can't you have a break or something?" Gavaskar remarked, highlighting Pujara's unmatched work ethic.

Gavaskar recommends team changes for Edgbaston Test

The former skipper also suggested a few changes for the second Test starting on July 2 in Birmingham. He backed the inclusion of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur, citing the surface at Edgbaston that might offer slight assistance to spin. "Whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit or not, I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come into the team. I do believe that he should come into the team for Shardul Thakur," he said.

Gavaskar added that further changes might be needed depending on how the second match goes. "If things don't go well in the second test, maybe Sai (Sudharsan) and Karun (Nair). I don't want to drop them at the moment. Then I'd also look at Washington (Sundar) so that it really gives you a more solid batting and also get a little more variety as far as the bowling is concerned."

Shubman Gill lacks on-field aura of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: Nasser Hussain

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:01:42 GMT

Shubman Gill's Test captaincy debut didn't unfold the way he would have hoped, as India suffered a five-wicket defeat to England in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley on June 24. The match exposed several areas where India faltered, but it also brought attention to Gill's leadership style and on-field presence in his first outing as captain. While Gill exhibited instances of calm and composure, many viewers felt he lacked the decisive authority associated with his predecessors.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain shared his own views about Gill's leadership on Sky Sports, adding that the young captain appeared to be "finding his way" at the beginning of a new role. “I thought I saw someone just finding his way, honestly. You’ve got to be very careful in the first Test match; the people he’s (Gill) taken over from are Kohli and then Rohit Sharma. I thought he didn’t quite have that on-field aura as the names I mentioned there. You look down on those two previous names, and you immediately see who was in charge of India,” Hussain explained.

He also noted that it looked like there were multiple leaders on the field, with senior players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul seemingly guiding Gill during crucial moments. Hussain described it as "captaincy by committee," a common occurrence when a new leader is still finding his footing. “I looked down from the press box, the commentary position, there were a lot of captains; it was a bit captaincy by committee, which can happen in your early days as a leader because you’re still senior players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul want to try and help you out as much as possible. I thought he followed the ball a lot. I thought he was reactive as opposed to proactive,” he added.

Hussain critiques tactical oversight with Jadeja

Nasser also highlighted a specific moment involving Ravindra Jadeja that, in his view, reflected the gap in tactical sharpness. He pointed out that neither Gill nor any other senior member appeared to instruct Jadeja to use the rough patches on the pitch effectively—something that was heavily discussed in the commentary box. “A word with Jadeja, maybe as a young captain, to go to such an experienced spinner and go, you do know the rough is out there. Ravi Shastri and Mark Butcher are up there, going, show us where that ball is pitching, and it was pitching nowhere near the rough. Ravi was saying, a bit slow, a bit wide, bowl in the rough,” Hussain observed.

surprise, he added, “I was surprised that not one of the senior players or captains went to Jadeja and said, ‘Can we go a little bit wider?’” But Ravi’s right, they lost the game for two things that he couldn’t control.” While Hussain acknowledged factors beyond Gill’s control contributed to the loss, his comments underline how leadership decisions—or the lack thereof—played a role in India’s defeat.

ENG vs IND: Three key reasons why India lost first Test match at Leeds, Headingley

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:51:19 GMT

India’s much-anticipated new era in Test cricket under Shubman Gill got off to a rocky start as England pulled off a stunning five-wicket win in the first Test at Headingley. Chasing a massive target of 371 — the second-highest successful run chase in their Test history—England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Ben Duckett’s aggressive 149, helped by Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and debutant Jamie Smith, revealed India’s many weaknesses. It wasn’t as though the visitors were denied victory by a lack of runs—four Indian batters made centuries, and they enjoyed a dominant position in the first innings—but they failed, again, through their own mistakes. Here are three reasons for India’s defeat.

1. Batting Collapses at Crunch Moments

India posted a massive 471 in the first innings and followed up with 364 in the second. But the scorecard doesn’t reveal the collapses that proved pivotal. They were 430/3 in the first innings but lost their last seven wickets for 41 runs. The same trend was followed in the second innings, folding from 333/5 to 364 all out. Debutant Sai Sudharsan and comeback man Karun Nair wasted opportunities, and the lower order could not provide resistance. These late-evening breakdowns cost India a chance to set an unreachable target.

2. Fielding Failures and Dropped Catches

India’s fielding let them down badly, especially in the second innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped four catches—the most by a player in a single Test innings—including a sitter when Ben Duckett was on 97. Duckett capitalized on the reprieve to score 149 and swing the game decisively in England’s favor. The missed chances shifted momentum in England’s favor. Even beyond Jaiswal, the slip cordon looked shaky, Rishabh Pant was inconsistent behind the stumps, and the overall fielding energy seemed flat. Some fans even mocked Jaiswal on X after a viral video showed him dancing near the boundary right after dropping Duckett’s catch, further fueling criticism.

3. Unbalanced and Ineffective Bowling Attack

India’s bowling lacked sharpness in the final innings. Jasprit Bumrah collected 5/83 in the first innings but was blunted on Day 5. The other part of the attack—Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna—was unable to make consistent impacts. Shardul’s inclusion for his batting didn’t justify his ineffectiveness with the ball, and Prasidh looked rusty. Ravindra Jadeja couldn't control the middle overs either. With no wrist-spinner or extra pacer in sight, India’s attack lacked bite and variety to break England’s resolve.

While this Headingley loss isn’t a disaster, it’s a sharp reminder of where India stands in transition. The team has talent, but plugging middle-order gaps, lifting fielding standards, and building bowling depth will be critical as they head to Birmingham for the second Test.

ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 2: Major highlights and key performances

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:07:50 GMT

Day 2 of the 1st Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Headingley, Leeds, on June 21, 2025, saw India tighten their grip, getting all out for 471/10 after starting the day at 359/3 and dismissing England at 209/3 in 49 overs at stumps. With a dominating 262-run advantage, India's Shubman Gill (147) and Rishabh Pant (134) were the stars of the show, and England's Ollie Pope (100*) and Ben Duckett (62) offered resistance. Jasprit Bumrah's 3/48 and Josh Tongue's 4/86 were pivotal, setting up a thrilling Day 3 as India pushes for victory, with play resuming later today.

India 1st Innings: 471/10 in 113 Overs

India resumed at 359/3 and compiled 112 runs, all out at 471/10 in 113 overs. Shubman Gill (147 off 227, 19 fours, 1 six) was dismissed by Shoaib Bashir, and Rishabh Pant (134 off 178, 12 fours, 6 sixes) by Josh Tongue, both agonizingly short of a double hundred on Day 2. Ravindra Jadeja (11 off 15) and Mohammed Siraj (3* off 7) contributed later on, but the lower order collapsed. England's bowlers came back strongly, Tongue (4/86 in 20 overs) claiming four wickets, including Pant and Shardul Thakur (1 off 8), and Ben Stokes (4/66 in 20 overs) sending Gill, Karun Nair (0 off 4), and Jasprit Bumrah (0 off 5) back to the pavilion. Brydon Carse (1/96 off 22 overs) sent Jadeja packing, while Shoaib Bashir (1/100 off 27 overs) sent back Gill. Extras (31, including 1b, 14lb, 2w, 9nb, and 5p) boosted India’s total, with their dismissal ending a dominant batting display.

England 1st Innings: 209/3 in 49 Overs

England's response began with a shaky start, losing Zak Crawley (4 off 6, caught Karun Nair off Jasprit Bumrah) early, then Ben Duckett (62 off 94, 9 fours) was bowled by Bumrah, leaving them at 126/2 at tea. Ollie Pope (100* off 131, 13 fours) and Joe Root (28 off 58, 2 fours) then added 80 runs for the third wicket, but Root fell late in the day to a catch by Karun Nair off Bumrah. Harry Brook (0* off 12) replaced Pope, and England reached 209/3. India's bowlers, headed by Bumrah (3/48 in 13 overs), took advantage of initial movement, while Mohammed Siraj (0/50 in 14 overs), Prasidh Krishna (0/56 in 10 overs), and others kept the pressure on. England trailed by 262 runs, with Pope’s unbeaten century and Brook’s presence offering hope.

ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 2: Key Moments

Gill and Pant's Massive Scores: Shubman Gill's 147 and Rishabh Pant's 134 took India beyond 400, with Pant's sixes and Gill's cover drives ruling until both were dismissed.
Tongue's Breakthrough Spell: Josh Tongue's 4/86, with the wicket of Pant, provided England with a late boost, his career-best Test figures.
Pope's Fighting Hundred: Ollie Pope's undefeated 100, his fourth at Headingley, kept England in the game despite early losses to Bumrah.
Bumrah's Triple Strike: Jasprit Bumrah's 3/48, getting rid of Crawley, Duckett, and Root, set England back on their heels, reasserting his match-winning influence.

ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 2: Match Scorecard

India 1st Innings – 471/10 (113 Overs)

Batting	Runs (Balls)	Bowling	Wickets/Runs (Overs)
Shubman Gill (c)	147 (227)	Josh Tongue	4/86 (20)
Rishabh Pant (wk)	134 (178)	Ben Stokes	4/66 (20)
Yashasvi Jaiswal	101 (158)	Brydon Carse	1/96 (22)
KL Rahul	42 (78)	Shoaib Bashir	1/100 (27)

England 1st Innings – 209/3 (49 Overs)

Batting	Runs (Balls)	Bowling	Wickets/Runs (Overs)
Ollie Pope	100 * (131)	Jasprit Bumrah	3/48 (13)
Ben Duckett	62 (94)	Mohammed Siraj	0/50 (14)
Joe Root	28 (58)	Prasidh Krishna	0/56 (10)
Harry Brook	0* (12)	Ravindra Jadeja	0/25 (9)

ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 1: Major highlights and key performances

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:35:18 GMT

Day 1 of the 1st Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025, was dominated by India’s batting, scoring 359/3 in 85 overs after England opted to bowl first. Yashasvi Jaiswal's dogged 101 and Shubman Gill's authoritative 127* in his Test captaincy debut led the way in a top-notch day, with Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 65 adding fireworks. England's bowling unit, led by Ben Stokes (2/43), struggled to break through on a pitch that offered early movement but eased out, with Brydon Carse (1/70) taking a wicket. Despite a brief resurgence before lunch, England couldn’t halt India’s momentum, setting up an intriguing Day 2.

India 1st Innings: 359/3 in 85 Overs

England’s decision to bowl under overcast skies backfired as India’s openers weathered the new ball. Yashasvi Jaiswal (101 off 158, 16 fours, 1 six) and KL Rahul (42 off 78, 8 fours) compiled a strong 91-run first-wicket partnership, negotiating early spells by Chris Woakes (0/89) and Brydon Carse (1/70). England responded with two wickets in five deliveries prior to scoring lunch, with Carse getting Rahul (caught by Joe Root) and Ben Stokes removing debutant Sai Sudharsan (0 off 4, caught by Jamie Smith) to leave India on 92/2. Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (127* off 175, 16 fours, 1 six) later scored a 129-run third-wicket stand, with Jaiswal scoring his fifth Test century despite forearm spasms. Stokes struck again after tea to leave Jaiswal behind, but Gill led by example, and Rishabh Pant (65* off 102, 6 fours, 2 sixes) posted an unbroken 138-run fourth-wicket partnership. Pant's fearless aggression, a six from the final over off Woakes included, and Gill's beautiful cover drives took the English bowling to pieces. Shoaib Bashir (0/66) and Josh Tongue (0/75) both bowled in vain, while extras (24, including 1 by, 10 lb, 1 w, 7 nb, 5 p) boosted India’s total. India's 359/3 was their highest Day 1 score in a Test in England.

ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 1: Scorecard

Batting	Runs (Balls)	Bowling	Wickets/Runs (Overs)
Shubman Gill (c*)	127* (175)	Ben Stokes	2/43 (13)
Yashasvi Jaiswal	101 (158)	Brydon Carse	1/70 (16)
Rishabh Pant (wk)	65* (102)	Chris Woakes	0/89 (19)
KL Rahul	42 (78)	Shoaib Bashir	0/66 (21)

ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 1: Key Moments

Gill's Captaincy Century: Shubman Gill, in his debut Test as captain, hit his sixth Test century (100 off 140 balls), the fifth Indian to reach a hundred on Test captaincy debut, after Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli.
Jaiswal's Determined Ton: Yashasvi Jaiswal's 101, his fifth Test century, demonstrated determination through cramps, laying a good foundation with 16 fours and a six.
Pant's Unbeaten Explosive 65: Rishabh Pant's 65*, with a six off Woakes in the last over, was his 3,000th Test run and reaffirmed his aggressive style.
England's Pre-Lunch Comeback: Two wickets in five balls (Rahul and Sudharsan) provided England with hope, but they failed to apply pressure as the pitch eased.

Why were India awarded 5 penalty runs on Day 1 of ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test?

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:58:08 GMT

Nothing seems to be working in the favor of Ben Stokes and his England team on Day 1 of the first Test against India at Headingley, Leeds. Deciding to bowl first on what proved to be a batsman-friendly pitch has worked extremely adversely. India's top two batsmen exploited the kind conditions to the hilt, with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the charge in sensational fashion. The young left-hander reached his fifth Test century with ease, putting England’s bowling unit under tremendous pressure in the first two sessions.

Shubman Gill provided solid support at the other end, and the duo belted England's wayward bowling with clinical accuracy. As India went on adding runs, England's misery was aggravated towards the tea break when a strange blunder lost them five penalty runs. The incident occurred during the 51st over, which was bowled by Stokes, when a thick edge from Jaiswal landed inches short of Harry Brook at second slip. But Brook inadvertently deflected the ball onto a helmet kept behind the wicketkeeper, Jamie Smith.

This apparently small error had far-reaching effects. The moment the ball struck the helmet, umpires indicated five penalty runs to India, to the shock of Joe Root and captain Ben Stokes. The look on Root's face encapsulated England's disappointment, as their day of woe went on with one more self-inflicted slip-up.

What the Rules Say

By ICC playing conditions, helmets may be placed by the fielders only at the back of the wicketkeeper and along the line of the stumps at either end. Such helmets should not be scattered anywhere else on the ground. A live ball that comes into contact with such a helmet placed legally is considered dead instantly.

Additionally, five penalty runs are given to the batting side in such instances, whether or not the delivery was fair, a no-ball, or a wide. England, in their case, found themselves reminded forcefully of the need for field discipline on a dismal opening day that featured insult as well.

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Probable playing XI, Head to Head and Headingley stadium stats

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:19:02 GMT

Team India is ready to begin their highly awaited five-Test series against England on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. This is a new era for Indian Test cricket, as the team is now being led by Shubman Gill after stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired. Rishabh Pant is back on the team as vice-captain and wicketkeeper, while Gautam Gambhir, who has just been made team mentor, is in charge of this new-look team as India starts its campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

The playing XI includes a few young guns like Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, and Harshit Rana. Arshdeep Singh's Test debut can be anticipated as well, bolstering India's pace attack along with Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur. England, with skipper Ben Stokes at the helm, will also hope to carry their home dominance forward, with veteran campaigners like Joe Root, Ben Duckett, and Harry Brook holding the keys for the middle order.

Historically, India has struggled in England, having won a mere 3 of the 19 Test series hosted on British soil. At Headingley, Leeds, India has hosted 7 Tests against England, winning 2, losing 4, and drawing 1. Their recent visit in 2021 was a comprehensive loss. With a new skipper, vice-skipper, and a new youth-filled team dynamic, India hopes to turn the tables and kickstart well in this pivotal away series.

Probable Playing XIs for 1st Test

India Probable XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (C), Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (VC/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

England Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

IND vs ENG Head-to-Head at Headingley

India and England have faced each other in seven Test matches at Headingley, Leeds. England holds the upper hand with 4 wins, while India has emerged victorious twice. A single match has been drawn. India played their first Test at this legendary ground in 1952 and lost. The last match between the two sides at Headingley was in 2021, where India, led by Virat Kohli, lost comprehensively. India will be looking to rewrite the history books with a youthful squad and new management and make a statement with their opening test at this iconic venue.

IND vs ENG – Head-to-Head in Tests

India and England have played 136 Test matches overall, with England winning 51 and India 35. The remaining 50 matches have ended in draws. The rivalry dates back to 1932 and remains one of the fiercest in Test cricket.

Total Matches: 136
England Wins: 51
India Wins: 35
Draws: 50

Headingley Cricket Ground—Test Match Stats

The iconic Headingley in Leeds has hosted 81 Test matches since 1899. While this venue is notorious for assisting seam bowlers at the beginning, the pitch has also produced some large scores. Second-innings batting teams have an edge here, with 34 victories to 29 by teams batting first. In a surprise twist, the toss has had minimal impact on outcomes—teams losing the toss have actually won more games (32) than winning the toss (31).

Total Matches: 81
Batting 1st Wins: 29
Batting 2nd Wins: 34
Draw/No Result: 18
Highest Individual Score: 334 by Don Bradman (1930)
Best Bowling (Innings): 8/43 by Bob Willis (1981)
Best Match Figures: 15/99 by Colin Blythe (1907)
Highest Team Total: 653/4d by Australia (1993)
Lowest Team Total: 61 by West Indies (2000)
Highest Successful Chase: 404/3 by Australia (1948)

Ajinkya Rahane picks his possible XI for India ahead of ENG vs IND Test series

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:44:20 GMT

As the highly anticipated Test series between India and England draws near, senior Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has shared his predicted playing XI for the opening match starting Friday. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane surprised many by including young players Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sudharsan in his lineup. The selection reflects a blend of youth and form, with Rahane opting for performers who impressed in warm-up matches and domestic cricket.

Notably, Rahane left out experienced names such as Karun Nair and pacer Prasidh Krishna. Instead, he chose wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel as a middle-order option and backed Shardul Thakur for his all-round contributions, particularly after a strong showing in the intra-squad warm-up game. At the top, Rahane placed his confidence in Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, while debutant Sai Sudharsan was given the critical No. 3 slot.

Skipper Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, and Rishabh Pant form the backbone of the middle order, adding depth and flexibility. Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur provide dual skills as all-rounders, while the pace department features three fast bowlers—Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh—forming a well-rounded attack.

Gill on bowling strength and India's selection strategy

Ahead of the series opener, Indian captain Shubman Gill emphasized the importance of bowling in red-ball cricket, underlining that taking 20 wickets is the key to winning a Test. “Yes, definitely in Test matches, if you want to win a Test match, you can't win a Test match without taking 20 wickets no matter how many runs you score,” Gill said at the pre-match press conference. “That has been one of our key discussion points: how we will take 20 wickets.”

Gill also revealed that the team management is weighing its options regarding team balance. "There might be a case where we go with six pure batters, and you will see a bowling all-rounder and three or four premier fast bowlers," he explained. With conditions expected to differ slightly from the usual English summer, the team is approaching its combination with caution and flexibility.

Ajinkya Rahane’s Predicted XI for 1st Test vs England:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.

Sachin Tendulkar predicts India will win ENG vs IND Test series 3-1

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:04:58 GMT

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has thrown his full support behind India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, ahead of the five-match series against England. Tendulkar believes Gill will do “something special” and has predicted a 3-1 series win for India. Emphasizing the importance of blocking out external noise, Tendulkar advised the young skipper to focus solely on what’s happening inside the dressing room and stick to team plans. “My advice to him [Gill] would be that he should not worry about what x, y, z is saying,” Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo.

Tendulkar further stressed that only those in the dressing room truly understand the team's vision and responsibilities. He urged Gill to enjoy the honor of leading India, remain committed, and act in the country’s best interest. “Whatever that opinion is, it's only an opinion, and it's from outside. I think what he needs to think about is what was discussed in the dressing room… I would say, just go out; it's a huge honour, enjoy the moment and give your best for the country,” Tendulkar said. Gill, who recently took over from Rohit Sharma, will also bat at No. 4—a spot held by Tendulkar and later Virat Kohli for three decades.

Discussing Gill’s elevation to the pivotal No. 4 position, Tendulkar noted it was a mark of the faith people have in him. “It is good that people believe that he is capable of fulfilling that [No. 4] responsibility,” he said. “He has to just go out and be himself, be determined, and put his best foot forward with all his commitment. I'm sure he'll do something special.” Tendulkar also shared advice on how Indian batters can handle England’s fast bowlers, stressing the need for a solid front-foot defense and close hand control.

Tendulkar’s advice to Pant and excitement for Bumrah vs Root battle

Tendulkar also had specific advice for wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, one of the more experienced members of the squad. He urged Pant to mostly trust his instincts but to stay flexible depending on the match situation. “He [Pant] should back his instincts most of the time… but there'll be situations where he'll have to curb his game in the interests of the team,” Tendulkar said. He emphasized that while Pant’s aggressive play is an asset, there may be times he needs to dial it down for the team’s cause.

Looking back at India’s last Test series win in England in 2007, where he played a key role, Tendulkar fondly remembered the celebration at The Oval. He is now eagerly looking forward to this summer’s contest and especially the duel between Jasprit Bumrah and Joe Root. “These kinds of moments stay with you forever… I hope we're able to do something this series too,” he said. When asked about the final scoreline, Tendulkar was clear and confident: “I have settled for 3-1 to India.”

ENG vs IND 2025: Rishabh Pant confirms lineup changes, no. 3 position remains unsettled

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:04:23 GMT

India's vice-captain of the Test team and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has announced a big makeover of the team batting order for the first Test against England, to begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. With the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from red-ball cricket in May, the team is making a big transition, particularly in the top-order batting ranks.

Pant unveiled that skipper Shubman Gill will play at No. 4 in the first game of the series. The spot was earlier occupied by Kohli, and Gill's elevation indicates a tactical change in India's batting lineup. Pant himself will remain at No. 5, while the No. 3 slot is not yet decided and will be determined near the match.

Gill, who started his Test career as an opener, was earlier moved to No. 3 to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal. Now, with Gill moving to the middle order, the Indian team aims to add more stability in the absence of experienced batters. Pant mentioned that the No. 3 slot is still open, suggesting continued experimentation.

🚨Rishabh Pant confirms that Shubman Gill will drop to No.4 and he'll stay at No.5. The identity of the No.3 is yet to be decided #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/6nuHZkPhPb
— Kaushik R (@kaushik_cb) June 18, 2025

Starting of new age under Shubman Gill as skipper

The reshuffle marks India's wider bid to reassemble their red-ball backbone after losing two of their modern-day greats. With or without major stars Bumrah, Ashwin, and Pant, the team has not won a Test series in England since 2007. Their closest call was in 2021, when they were 2-1 up before the last Test was cancelled because of COVID-19 and then lost in 2022.

The new five-Test series—renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy—is a fresh chapter in the legendary rivalry. Both sides are in transition, and new leaders are rising, so the competition will be a fierce trial of depth, flexibility, and upstart talent.