Shreyas Iyer has been left out of India’s Test squad for the England tour despite his strong domestic performances and leadership in the IPL. The decision, announced by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, has sparked discussions within the cricketing community. While the squad features a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, Iyer’s omission remains one of the most debated selections ahead of the five-match series.
India’s Test Squad for England 2025
Agarkar revealed an 18-member squad that will travel to England this summer, facing one of the toughest Test assignments in world cricket. With Rohit Sharma stepping down from the longest format earlier this month, the reins have been handed over to Shubman Gill.
A natural leader with a calm head and aggressive intent, Gill has long been seen as a future captain. His appointment comes at a time when India needs a fresh perspective and long-term stability.
From surviving a near-death accident to making a roaring comeback, Rishabh Pant’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Naming him vice-captain isn’t just about leadership — it’s about belief. Ajit Agarkar confirmed that while Bumrah will be part of the squad, he won’t be playing all five matches due to workload concerns, making Pant a reliable second-in-command.
Shreyas Iyer’s Exclusion: A Shocking Snub
Shreyas Iyer has been left out of India’s Test squad for the England series despite strong performances in ODIs and domestic cricket. His exclusion comes as a surprise, given his consistent run-scoring and leadership in the IPL. While many expected him to secure a middle-order spot, the selectors opted for other choices, citing no available space in the Test setup.
When asked about Iyer’s omission, Agarkar was anything but diplomatic. He said, “Shreyas had a good one-day series, played well in domestic as well but right now there’s no room in Test cricket.”
Iyer’s last outing in whites was against England in early 2024. He played two Tests — one in Hyderabad and the other in Visakhapatnam. His performance was steady, though not spectacular, but certainly not poor enough to warrant a complete snub.
Agarkar on Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed that Virat Kohli had informed the BCCI about his decision to retire from Test cricket in early April, weeks before making it public in May. Agarkar emphasized that the decision came solely from Kohli, and the BCCI fully respected his choice, acknowledging the immense contributions he made to Indian cricket.
He satated, “Virat reached out early April, seem him give 200% 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.”
Notable Inclusions in the Squad
The selectors made some unexpected calls in India’s Test squad for the England series, including the selection of Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Karun Nair. Sudharsan, the talented Tamil Nadu batter, earned his maiden Test call-up after showcasing remarkable consistency. Easwaran, a prolific performer in domestic cricket, finally gets his long-awaited opportunity at the international level.
Meanwhile, Nair makes a comeback to the Test setup nearly six years after his last appearance, rekindling memories of his stunning triple century in 2016. These inclusions reflect a strong emphasis on rewarding domestic excellence while strengthening India’s Test squad depth.
India’s Test Squad for England Tour: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC and WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, 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.
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