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Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement may not have stunned anyone, but it still marks the end of an era. India now finds itself without its senior-most opener and Test captain, and Virat Kohli now joins the India skipper.
Kohli follows through on reported plans to retire and step away from the format. India’s XI for the England tour will be without the two batters who’ve anchored the side for the better part of a decade.
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There’s no dearth of talent waiting in the wings. But replacing experience, especially ahead of a five-match Test series in England starting June 20, is a different challenge altogether. The conditions are brutal. The scrutiny, even worse.
MORE: Virat Kohli Test retirement: How cricket legends and India teammates reacted
New faces, old pressure: Who fills the top and middle for IND vs ENG Tests?
India’s top order is set to wear a new look. Yashasvi Jaiswal will almost certainly open. He’s just 23, but already a mainstay; having toured Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies.
Despite playing fewer than 20 Tests, he walks into the side. But there are still question marks over how well he’ll handle English seam and swing.
Check: Who will be India's next Virat Kohli? Listing 3 batsmen who could be the next 'King'
His partner? Likely to be debutant Sai Sudharsan. The 22-year-old has done everything but wear the India whites. He’s played five County Championship games across two seasons, including a ton for Surrey from No.6 last year.
This year, he hammered a double-century for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy and is now one run shy of reclaiming the IPL 2025 Orange Cap. He’s in form and has spent time batting in English conditions, a rare combo.
Shubman Gill retains the No.3 role. Since Cheteshwar Pujara’s exit, Gill has averaged 38 with three centuries. But his overseas numbers? An average of 19 with a best of just 36 in 12 innings. That won’t cut it in England and he knows it. Still, he’s the most senior batter in this top three and is expected to lead the side in Rohit’s absence.
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The No.4 slot, long owned by Kohli, is wide open. KL Rahul could step in, although since the start of 2024, he’s batted at No.3, No.4, No.6 and even opened. He’s proven in England too, he averages 34 there with two hundreds, both as an opener. If selectors prefer stability up top, Rahul may be asked to open again, pushing Sudharsan to No.3 and Gill to No.4.
Rishabh Pant returns as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper. His counter-attacking style could be a huge asset in these conditions. Ravindra Jadeja will walk in as the primary all-rounder and, with Kohli and Rohit out, as the most experienced player in the XI.
To fill out the middle order, India has two main options: Shreyas Iyer or Devdutt Padikkal. Iyer has been in blazing form since being dropped from the Test side. Padikkal, on the other hand, has had two solid games one each in Dharamsala and Perth; and offers a left-handed option.
For the lower order, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar or Axar Patel could be considered, depending on the balance the team wants. Reddy, in particular, brings batting depth and a seam-up option, something India might lean on in England.
The pace attack picks itself: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. That trio is battle-tested and crucial to India’s chances.
Dhruv Jurel will likely serve as Pant’s backup, but given his compact defensive game and versatility, he could be used as a specialist batter if needed. As a backup opener, Abhimanyu Easwaran might finally get his Test cap; though he’s likely to begin the series on the bench.
India’s probable XI for 1st Test vs. England
Here is how India's playing 11 might look for the 1st Test against England without Rohit and Kohli:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shreyas Iyer/Devdutt Padikkal
- Nitish Reddy
- Mohammed Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammad Siraj
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