India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill new captain; Karun Nair returns; Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep in, no Shami

India Test Squad For England Tour Live: Shubman Gill has been named as India's next Test captain.

India Test Squad for England tour Highlights: Shubman Gill is the new India Test captain, as chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming series against England on Saturday. The 25-year-old will lead India in the upcoming series, and this will be the youngster's first time leading India in international cricket. Shubman Gill is yet to prove himself as a batter in overseas conditions. But the management has taken a huge leap of faith in entrusting Shubman Gill with the captaincy role.

Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain, while Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan have earned call-ups in the squad. Karun Nair set the stage on fire while representing Vidarbha in domestic cricket last season. He scored runs for fun in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

Shardul Thakur also returned to the squad. Mohammed Shami was deemed unfit by the Medical Team. Hence, the pacer won't be making a trip to the UK. Sarfaraz Khan and Harshit Rana have been dropped from India's squad for the series against England. 

“Mohammed Shami is not fit, and he can’t manage his workload in Test cricket at the moment. Shami has been ruled out of the series. The medical team told us that his body was not capable of handling the pressure of red-ball cricket. There is no point in taking a bowler whose fitness is not up to the mark,” Ajit Agarkar said while speaking to reporters. 

Bengal batter Abhimanyu Easwaran has also been named in the squad as he has been chosen as the back-up opener. The right-hander will soon be leading India A against England Lions. The three spin options in the squad are Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

The pace department comprises Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh. Agarkar also confirmed that Bumrah won't be playing all five Tests against England as his workload will be managed by the physios. 

“Jasprit Bumrah won't be available for all five Tests against England from what physiotherapists have told us,” Agarkar said. 

The Test series between India and England will commence on June 20 in Leeds before the action moves to Birmingham for the second Test. 

The Lord’s Cricket Ground will host the third Test, beginning on July 10. Old Trafford and Kennington Oval will host the fourth and fifth Tests of the series respectively.

Squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wk and VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav.