The BCCI on Saturday (May 24) announced a new-look squad for the upcoming England tour that marks the beginning of a new chapter for Indian Test cricket following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Addressing the media after unveiling the squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that replacing legends like Rohit, Kohli, and Ravichandra Ashwin is never easy, calling it a major transition phase for the team. The last time India played a Test match without the trio was during the 2011 tour of England.
"When guys like that retire, always big holes to fill. Ashwin also retired. Those three have been stalwarts. Always difficult. One way of looking at it is, opportunity for someone else. Had conversations with both of them,” Agarkar told reporters.
Reflecting specifically on Kohli's retirement, the chairman of selectors added: “Virat reached out early April, seen him give 200% on every ball he plays even when he's not batting or on the field. Felt he'd given everything he had, if he can't keep up to the standards it was time for him. It's come from him. Have to respect that. They've earned that respect."
The selection committee appointed Shubman Gill as India's 37th Test captain while Rishabh Pant was named his deputy for the England tour.
Agarkar stressed on the importance of moving forward with a fresh outlook in the new World Test Championship cycle.
“It is a new WTC cycle, you are looking at whole lot of scenarios. All we need to do is show them respect and move on. It is a big job and big transition. We are all confident that Gill is the guy to take us forward. We are all very hopeful,” Agarkar remarked.
The five-Test series between India and England is slated to get underway on June 20 at Headingley, followed by matches at Lord's (June 28), Trent Bridge (July 6), The Oval (July 14), and Old Trafford (July 24).
India Squad for England Tests: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
