Former India all-rounder and Coach Sanjay Bangar has recognized key players to support the Indian Test squad following the fresh retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
With the five-match Test series against England fixed to start on June 20, Bangar has backed Abhimanyu Easwaran as a talented opener and Karun Nair as a strong candidate for the No. 4 batting position.
Easwaran, a productive run-scorer in domestic cricket with over 7,600 runs containing 27 centuries, has yet to make his Test debut but will lead the India a squad in the future series against England Lions.
Bangar believes Easwaran’s reliable performances make him a perfect candidate to fill the opening slit evacuated by Rohit Sharma.
Karun Nair, who excellently scored a triple century under Kohli’s captaincy, is making a response after nearly nine years.
Nair’s inspiring recent domestic form including 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has put him in strong argument for a reappearance to the national side.
“If all the talk of generous domestic the importance is to be believed, then he has done everything possible to make his place back in the Test squad,” said Bangar.
Temporarily, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is predictable to announce the full squad and name India’s new Test captain by May 24.
Shubman Gill is extensively stared as the leader for the captaincy role, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also considered but supposedly suspended due to injury concerns.
India’s tour of England will kick off the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, making it a vital campaign for the team’s new leadership and lineup.
Schedule for India’s tour of England 2025:
- 1st Test: June 20–24 (Leeds)
- 2nd Test: July 02–06 (Birmingham)
- 3rd Test: July 10–14 (Lord’s)
- 4th Test: July 23–27 (Manchester)
- 5th Test: July 31–August 04 – (The Oval)
