Analyzing India’s likely playing XI in England if Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket

The Indian cricket team will be getting ready for the five-match Test tour of England starting on 20th June 2025. This could potentially be the first tour without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli wearing the Test whites. Rohit Sharma has already retired from the longest format of the game, while Virat Kohli, as per reports, is set to call time on his Test career. 

As per reports, Shubman Gill is the front-runner to be the new Test captain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is keen on Gill as the Test captain. Jasprit Bumrah was initially thought to be the favourite for full-time Test captaincy. The 31-year-old’s latest fitness concerns have made Gill the front runner for the top job. 

England’s tour will begin with the first game to be played in Leeds; this will be followed by matches in Edgbaston and Lord’s. The final two matches of the series will be played in Manchester and Oval, in a series which marks the start of the 2025-27 WTC cycle. Post this, India are set to host West Indies and South Africa in a home series. 

Here is the likely Indian XI for the Test series in England 

Solid opening batters – Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal 

Yashasvi Jaiswal has established himself as one of India’s most important batters in the Test format. The left-handed batter was one of the leading run-scorers during the previous tour of Australia late last year. Sai Sudharsan could be given his Test debut to replace Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Sudharsan is already in good run-scoring form and has decent experience of playing in England. 

Strong Middle-order – Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant

Newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill will continue to bat at the number three spot in the batting order. Gill has to shoulder the responsibility of not only leading the side on the field but also with the bat in what could be tough conditions in England. Veteran batter KL Rahul found his touch with the bat in Australia and could be slotted to bat at number four in Virat Kohli’s place. Rishabh Pant will have a key role in the side, not only as a wicketkeeper but also as a batter with the ability to change the course of the game. 

Potent lower-order – Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja

For the first time in a while, the Indian cricket team could field a long batting unit. Dhruv Jurel, who impressed everyone with his batting on his Test debut against England, could be given a longer run at number six. Nitish Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja will be key players not just with the bat but also with the ball. Reddy in particular could find conditions to his liking as far as his medium pace bowling his concerned. 

Pace trio likely to headline India’s attack – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Team India might just field one spinner in the playing XI for the coming tour of England. The pace bowling department will be led by Jasprit Bumrah as Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami will be playing a key role. India’s bowling trio have already played in these conditions before and will be looking to trouble the English batters once again. 

India's likely XI - Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj