Capture how the Indian team can look
A week ago, who could know that the Indian Premier League (IPL) would not have the captain Rohit Sharma that India would travel to England after 2025? Previously, Rohit showed his desire to “do well” in England. However, as things appeared, Hitman hung the boots and offered Adieu to the red ball format. Now, a few days later, this time BCCI also said that he did not want to play a test jack, Virat Kohli fell another big bomb!
This certainly surprised the whole Indian cricket brotherhood. While BCCI asks Kohli to reconsider his request, we assume that India does not have Kohli for the next five -match test series that launched the New World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
When Rohit Sharma leaves the picture, Kohli wants to retire and Ravi Ashwin is no longer an international player, but the view of the Indian test team is about to change soon. In this note, let’s look at a possible Indian team for five -match UK tests without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Sai Sudharsan is a necessity now
The absence of Rohit and Kohli would leave a great gap at India. Sai Sudharsan, who is considered a spare opener, finally gets a consistent run. Sudhasan marked every box this season. Against Delhi, 213 marathons scored 76 runs in the 2024-25 Range Cup, including inning.
In a fascinating way, Sudhasan also runs 509 running in just 11 games for Gujarat Titans (GT) in a touch that burned in IPL 2025. While Kl Rahul is expected to return to the summit of the order with Jaiswal, Sudharsan can be placed in number 3, a position in which he is beaten in a match in India.
Shubman Gill, which has been more than 37 an average of more than 37 in the tests since 2023, can switch to number 4 to fill the cohli-shaped space. This leaves both Shreyas Iyer and Karun Nair’s number 5 in which he entered into the conversation.
Shreyas Iyer or Karun Nair?
Karun Nair has not played a test since 2017, but the latest numbers in Red-Ball Cricket shows that a turn is delayed. In Ranji Trophy 2024/25, Nair made 863 runs in 9 inning, including three centuries and two fifty -fifty. A year ago, he made 690 runs at 40.58. These are not one-time numbers-this is a inclination that finds consistency. Nair also filled the graphics of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024 with 779 runs, as in monster mode.
Despite a warm IPL 2025, Nair’s red ball record deserves serious interest. The selections will also remember that the last big score in the tests is against the UK.
Meanwhile, the return of Shreyas Iyer may perfectly coincide with the absence of Kohli. Iyer lastly played a test in February 2024, but forced it to strive with a strong domestic season. After a Duleep Cup that caused only 25.66 average, Iyer turned something in the Range Cup and made 480 runs in 5 matches in two centuries.
The first class record is impressive: 48.57 runs 6,363 in 81 games. If India is looking for a inclination in the form, the Iyer is one of the few people who fit the bill.
Shardul Thakur deserves a place
India’s speed attack will probably be built around Jasprit Bumrah and probably around Muhammad Shami, but the workload management will be the key. Bumrah took 32 small doors in 5 tests during the BGT 2023/24, while Shami returned after a long injury was dismissed. In their absence, India will need a depth. And this can be achieved by Muhammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
At Ranji 2024/25, Shardul Thakur 505 runs and took 35 small doors-a real multi-faceted performance. 505 is basically out of most veterans. Thakur actually runs more than Ajinkya Rahane, Priyank Panchal and Delhi Captain Ayush Badoni. In IPL 2025, it was carved with 12 small doors of 9 games, and in the tests, there are 30 small doors and three fifty in the UK. He was successful in England before. In English conditions, familiarity and lower -graded strokes make it more suitable for the test team.
England tests without kohli Team Squad, Rohit
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Kl Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patelt, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna/ Harshit Rana.
Candidate Candidates: Gill, Bumrah, Pant
England vs India Test Program
| Test | History | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Test | 20-24 June ’25 | Leeds |
| 2. | 02-06 July ’25 | Birmingham |
| 3. Test | 10-14 July ’25 | Lord’s |
| 4. Test | 23-27 July ’25 | Manchester |
| 5. Test | 31 TEM – 04 Aug ’25 | Oval |
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