Rohit Sharma may opt out of India’s upcoming England Test tour, while Virat Kohli is set to retain his place in the squad; Karun Nair among possible replacements.
New Delhi | March 27, 2025 —
India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma is likely to opt out of the upcoming Test series against England, as per a report by India Today. The decision follows a string of poor performances in red-ball cricket, particularly during the Test series against Australia, where Rohit managed only 31 runs across three matches before withdrawing from the final Test in Sydney.
Sources quoted in the report indicated that the decision has already been made internally, though an official announcement is still awaited. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is expected to retain his place in the squad for the England tour.
India’s 45-day tour of England will kick off with the first Test at Headingley on June 20, marking their attempt to win a Test series in England for the first time since 2007.
🔁 Preparations Begin with India A vs England Lions
To gear up for the high-stakes series, many of India’s key players will feature in the India A squad, which is scheduled to play two four-day matches against the England Lions.
- May 30 – First four-day match at The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury
- June 6 – Second match at The County Ground, Northampton
The series also comes shortly after the conclusion of IPL 2025, which ends with the final on May 25. This gives selectors a narrow but manageable window to finalize the India A and main Test squads.
🏏 Karun Nair in Contention
Among the top contenders to board the flight to England is Karun Nair, who has been in stellar form this domestic season.
- Top run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
- Fourth highest scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 (863 runs in 9 matches, avg 54, 4 centuries)
Nair’s performance helped Vidarbha lift their third Ranji Trophy title, enhancing his case for a return to national duties.
🗣️ What’s Next?
“There is enough time to announce the squad,” a source told PTI. “It will be done ahead of or just after the IPL knockouts. By then, availability will be clearer.”
With the series drawing close and India aiming to end their England drought, all eyes are now on BCCI’s final selection, which could mark a new chapter in India’s Test leadership and batting lineup.
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