Tamil Nadu’s rising batting sensation B Sai Sudharsan is all set to receive his maiden Test call-up for India’s upcoming five-match Test series against England, as per a report from PTI. The 23-year-old left-hander has been in scintillating form across formats, and his consistent performances in domestic cricket and IPL 2025 have impressed the selectors.
India’s tour of England is scheduled to begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. The remaining Tests will be played at Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord’s (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London).
Sai Sudharsan played 11 matches for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 before the tournament was suspended due to national security concerns. He amassed 509 runs, showcasing his calm temperament, solid technique, and maturity under pressure—qualities considered ideal for red-ball cricket.
According to the PTI report, Sudharsan is one of the frontrunners among the rookies and is expected to either open the innings or slot in at the crucial No. 3 position in the Test line-up.
While Sai has already represented India in three ODIs and one T20I, he is yet to don the whites at the international level. However, his impressive domestic record speaks volumes—he has scored 1957 runs in 29 First-Class matches, underlining his readiness for the longest format.
KL Rahul Not In Captaincy Fray
In another major development, KL Rahul is reportedly out of the race for India’s next Test captaincy following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format on May 7. Although Rahul had a decent run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, concerns around his age (33) and inconsistency have worked against him. His career Test average of below 35 after 50 matches is seen as underwhelming by the selectors.
Shubman Gill Set To Lead, Pant To Be Vice-Captain
With KL Rahul sidelined, young Shubman Gill is expected to be India’s next Test captain. Gill, who has already shown promise across formats, is seen as the ideal long-term option to lead the red-ball squad into the new era.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is expected to be named as the Test vice-captain. Pant, known for his exceptional performances in overseas conditions—especially his match-winning knocks in Australia and England—has made a strong case for a leadership role. Jasprit Bumrah, another senior player, is unlikely to be considered for the vice-captaincy due to his injury history and workload concerns.
The official announcement of the India squad for the England tour is expected by the end of the third week of May, while the India A squad is likely to be named early next week.
As India prepares to enter a transitional phase in Test cricket, the inclusion of fresh talents like Sai Sudharsan, coupled with a new leadership core, could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the team.
