India Begin New Test Era in England Without Kohli and Rohit
A new chapter in Indian Test cricket begins on Friday as Shubman Gill leads a revamped side against England at Headingley, marking the start of a five-match series and the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. The series also signals the end of an era, with stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having recently retired from the red-ball format.
Gill, 25, not only steps into the captaincy role vacated by Rohit but also takes up the critical No. 4 spot in the batting order long held by Indian greats such as Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli — a position that has produced over 21,000 Test runs across three decades. With a career average of 35 from 32 Tests, Gill faces the challenge of improving his overseas form, especially in England, where his average drops below 15.
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India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed that Gill would occupy the No. 4 position in the first Test. Pant, returning to international cricket after a horrific car crash in 2022, will be one of the few experienced players Gill can rely on in a largely youthful side that includes emerging stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India’s pace attack also reflects the transitional phase. While Jasprit Bumrah remains a match-winner across formats, his workload is expected to be managed carefully, possibly restricting him to three Tests. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from Test cricket, and Mohammed Shami is unavailable due to incomplete recovery from ankle surgery.
Despite these changes, Gill remains optimistic, stating last month, “I believe in leading by example — not just through performance, but through discipline and hard work off the field.”
England, too, begin their new Test cycle with a different look. With James Anderson and Stuart Broad having stepped away, the team faces its own concerns about wicket-taking ability — a point raised even by Pant. “It feels so good when both of them are not there,” he remarked, “but England still have enough ammunition. We don’t take anyone lightly.”
Injuries continue to plague England’s fast-bowling stocks. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are unavailable for the opening match, leaving the responsibility to Chris Woakes and debutant Brydon Carse, who acknowledged the opportunity for younger bowlers to assert themselves in this series.
Carse, 29, said, “It’s a good chance for a couple of younger players to stamp some authority.” But doubts remain. Former England pacer Stuart Broad, in a comment to The Times, questioned the team’s ability to consistently take 20 wickets per match in the absence of its veteran spearheads.
India have not won a Test series in England since 2007, with only three series victories (1971, 1986, and 2007) in their cricketing history. The coming weeks will test their ability to transition successfully into a new era — one without two of their greatest modern batting icons.
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