Jasprit Bumrah Will Not Play All Five Tests Against England, Confirms Ajit Agarkar
The BCCI on Saturday announced India’s 18-man squad for the highly anticipated five-match Test series against England this summer. While the squad features several exciting young names, the major headline comes from the statement by selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar — pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will not feature in all five Tests.
Workload Management for Bumrah
Addressing the media after the squad announcement, Agarkar said,
“We don’t think he will be available for all five Tests. But, even if he is fit for 3 or 4 Tests, he will be an asset to us.”
Bumrah, who has been central to India’s pace revolution, has been carefully managed in recent years due to his recurring back issues. The decision appears to be a precautionary one to ensure he remains fit for key matches while extending his Test career longevity.
Agarkar expressed relief over Bumrah’s inclusion in the squad, saying,
“Just happy he is part of the squad.”
Mohammed Shami Ruled Out
In a further blow to India’s pace resources, Agarkar confirmed that senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami will miss the entire series owing to injury. Shami has been out of competitive action for several months and continues to recover.
Shubman Gill Named Captain
With the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, 24-year-old opener Shubman Gill has been appointed captain. The elegant right-hander has long been seen as a future leader and will now take charge of a transitional Indian Test side.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, making a strong return from injury, has been named vice-captain.
India’s Squad For England Tour 2025:
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Vice-Captain: Rishabh Pant
- Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
- Fast Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Shardul Thakur
- Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
With a new leadership group and a mix of youth and experience, India faces a significant challenge in English conditions. The first Test is expected to begin in late June.
