Mumbai: The BCCI has made 27-year-old Rishabh Pant vice-captain for the upcoming five-game series against England, which will be held at Headingley, Leeds, starting June 20, 2025. Following a decision on May 24, 2025, Shubman Gill has stepped up as captain after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired. The move to appoint Pant instead of Jaiswal or Rahul suggests the selectors are sure about his abilities as a captain and at the crease.
The BCCI’s committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, chose 16 players for India’s first match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle against England. Pant was given the deputy’s spot since he often makes a difference for India overseas in challenging games. However, he did little for his IPL team this year. “Pant has proven he can change games and has experience in difficult conditions, so he is suitable for the job,” Agarkar added at the press conference in Mumbai.
Concern over Bumrah’s fitness level recently led to the decision to leave him out of the Test squad. Since Bumrah may not play every test, the selectors focus on keeping leadership consistent by picking other leaders over him. The BCCI source said the board believes giving Bumrah vice-captaincy would not fit with their future plans as they look for a stable deputy.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, two senior Indian players, were not chosen for the job. Jaiswal, who is progressing well, could be a star in the future. However, Pant has more experience as a skipper, and Rahul (33 years old) seems to lack the consistency he had in recent matches. Pant has excelled with a Test average greater than 42 and scoring centuries abroad in Australia, England, and South Africa. He easily handles pressure, such as during India’s memorable victory at the Gabba in 2021.
Young Tamil Nadu batter B Sai Sudharsan and experienced Karun Nair were included, with Nair returning to the national side for the first time in years. The squad will not include pacer Mohammed Shami, who is not fit for this tour, and Shreyas Iyer, who is missing from the middle order. Agarkar stated that the reason Shami is missing from the squad is his inability to bowl for long spells in Tests, despite his experience. The chances of his recovery look promising, though we’re not willing to put him through harsh tour conditions,” he added.
With Bumrah leading the fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh are ready. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar help with spin. Players batting for the team are Jaiswal, Rahul, Sudharsan, Gill, Pant, and Nitish Reddy. Dhruv Jurel is a second wicketkeeper.
The team’s new leaders, Gill and Pant, will guide Indian cricket as it prepares for a tough tour against strong English bowlers. Retired India cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar believes that the first two Tests at Headingley and Edgbaston will be key to how the team does. Although Gill and Pant are young, they show remarkable talent. “They should learn as they go,” he suggested.
India saw Pant’s vice-captaincy as a means to prepare him for broader leadership responsibilities. Considering the busy year with the IPL and Champions Trophy, the BCCI is focusing on young players to strengthen the Test team.