A new chapter in Indian cricket is set to unfold as Shubman Gill prepares to lead the Indian men’s Test team in a high-stakes five-match series against England, beginning June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. At just 25 years and 258 days, Gill became the youngest Indian Test captain of the 21st century.
The series marks multiple firsts — it is India’s inaugural Test assignment in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle and the beginning of a new leadership era, with Gill taking charge following the retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
The contest also debuts the rebranded Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, replacing the Pataudi Trophy, and symbolizing the legacy of two modern greats — Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson.
India enters the series with a determined mindset, looking to end an 18-year drought in England. The last time India clinched a Test series on English soil was in 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s leadership. With Gautam Gambhir now at the helm as head coach and Gill stepping up as captain, India hopes to rewrite history.
Gill, led India to a 4-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe and guided the Titans to the IPL 2025 playoffs, has shown promising signs as a leader. Although his red-ball leadership experience includes only five first-class matches, including one Ranji Trophy game, the selectors have placed faith in his temperament and cricketing acumen.
The upcoming series is also a continuation of one of cricket’s oldest rivalries. Since their first Test in 1932, India and England have faced off 136 times. England leads the head-to-head with 51 wins, while India has secured 35 victories. Fifty Tests between the two teams have ended in draws.
India’s most recent encounter with England in the longest format ended in a resounding 4-1 home series win in 2024. However, the challenges in English conditions remain formidable. India last toured England in 2021, with that five-Test series concluding in a 2-2 draw after the final match was delayed until July 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Historically, India has managed just nine Test wins on English soil and only three series victories — in 1971, 1986, and 2007. Gill-led team India now carry the hopes of millions aiming for a fourth.
As the countdown to the first Test begins, all eyes are on the new skipper and the team’s ability to rise to the occasion in the challenging English conditions. With a blend of youth, fresh leadership, and a renewed vision, the Indian team begins its new journey with optimism and ambition.
