IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill Cautious on India XI, Reflects on Guidance from Rohit and Kohli
LEEDS, United Kingdom – June 19, 2025. Shubman Gill, the newly designated captain of India Test cricket at its new dawn, chose not to reveal his playing XI for the inaugural Test against England, which is scheduled to begin at Headingley on Friday, June 20. Speaking to the media, Gill said he had held meaningful discussions with former Test captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, learning from their styles as he prepares to take over in leading in their absence with their retirement.
Playing XI Strategy Under Wraps
Rather, he would prefer to remain tight-lipped on the specifics regarding the final composition of India’s playing eleven. This series will commence the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle for India, and all these expected and unavoidable retirements have shaken the base of the squad, hence the anticipations on team combination are high.
“We still have some time, and we will be playing an intra-squad match and have a 10-day camp in London. We will decide the batting order once we are there,” Gill had previously said for a more systematic approach to team selection. It is inferred that the final eleven will be degreed only after asses- ment of conditions and player fitness close to the match.
Ben Stokes’ team, England, had declared their final squad for the first match of the series, where Chris Woakes and Jamie Smith returned to the wicketkeeper’s position.
Learning from the Legends: Rohit and Kohli Influence
Gill admitted that the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket have left a massive hole. It would be “very difficult to fill their space,” he said, but then also mentioned that the knowledge gained from both former captains is worth its weight in gold.
Gill elaborated, praising Rohit’s directness and ability to maintain a positive team environment. “Rohit bhai is also very aggressive in terms of his tactics. Tactically, he’s quite an aggressive captain. He is someone who is very clear with his communication prior to the matches, during the series, and even after the series, about what he wants from the players.”
Even if Rohit bhai is swearing at you, you would not take it to your heart. That’s just kind of his personality.
Gill quoted on Virat Kohli’s captaincy, “When I played under Virat bhai, I think his proactiveness in the Test matches with the field or with the ideas or with his thinking was something that I liked and that I picked up. He was very proactive with his thinking. If he thinks that, okay, this plan is not working, he would immediately have another plan, communicate to the bowler what he wants from them.”
These insights suggest that Gill is keen to bring in the aggressive tactical approach of Rohit while adopting the proactive adaptability of Kohli as he embarks on his road as a Test captain.
A New Chapter for India Test Cricket
The first of five Tests against England will be played on Friday, June 20, at Headingley. It marks the start of a new generation of Indian cricket, with Gill now at the helm and Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, as India looks to kick in with a powerful beginning to their fresh WTC cycle campaign. This first series could be a nail-biter for the young captain and an entirely different squad up against a formidable English team.
The first Test at Headingley would surely grip, with the weather forecast bright and sunny for the first two days, so it would favor both the batsmen and pacers depending on the overhead conditions.
Reported by: Herohind News Desk
