Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep and Karun Nair named in India's Test squad for England tour

India has announced its 18-member Test squad for the upcoming five-match series against England, marking significant changes and fresh inclusions. Notably, Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh have received their maiden Test call-ups, while Karun Nair makes a return to the Test side after a seven-year hiatus. Key Inclusions : Sai Sudharsan : The 23-year-old left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu has been rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. He has amassed 1,957 runs in 29 first-class matches at an average of 39.93, including seven centuries. Sudharsan is expected to bolster the top order, potentially batting at the No. 3 position. Arshdeep Singh : Known for his prowess in limited-overs cricket, the left-arm pacer has been India's leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals. His inclusion in the Test squad adds variety to the pace attack, especially in English conditions where swing bowling is crucial. Karun Nair : The 33-year-old batter from Karnataka returns to the Test fold, having last played in 2017. Nair, who famously scored a triple century against England in 2016, brings experience to the middle order. Leadership and Squad Overview : With the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain, and Rishabh Pant will serve as his deputy. The squad reflects a blend of youth and experience, aiming to build a formidable team for the future. Full Squad : Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, 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, Kuldeep Yadav. The Test series is set to commence on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds, and will be a part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.