India is set to make its return to Test cricket in June 2025 with a high-stakes five-match series against England. After a disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Men in Blue will look to bounce back in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

Their last visit to England in 2022 saw them lose the one-off Test, which was part of the incomplete 2021 series. Back then, India had a 2-1 lead before the final match was postponed. With Rohit Sharma expected to captain the side, let's take a look at India's probable squad for this crucial series.

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rohit Sharma is set to continue leading from the front as India's primary opener. The experienced batter has a strong record in England and will be key in providing stability at the top.

His opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, had a fantastic outing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 391 runs. The left-hander will have a big role to play against England's potent bowling attack in challenging conditions.

Key Players to Watch:

• Rohit Sharma (Captain) – Senior pro and leader of the side.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal – Talented left-hander with an aggressive game.

Middle-Order: A Mix of Experience and Fresh Faces

India's middle-order will see a blend of experience and young talent.

• Shubman Gill has been India's preferred No. 3 in Tests and is expected to continue in that role.
• Virat Kohli, despite scoring just one century in Australia, remains a vital cog in the batting lineup. His ability to step up in big games will be crucial.
• Devdutt Padikkal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Sarfaraz Khan are likely to keep their places.
• Karun Nair, who famously scored a triple century in Tests, could make a comeback after a long absence.

Likely Middle-Order:

• Shubman Gill – Solid at No. 3.
• Virat Kohli – The backbone of India's batting.
• Devdutt Padikkal – Young, promising left-hander.
• Abhimanyu Easwaran – Reliable backup option.
• Sarfaraz Khan – A prolific domestic performer.
• Karun Nair – Could get a second chance in Tests.

All-Rounders: Jadeja and Sundar to Lead the Charge

India's all-rounders play a crucial role in balancing the squad.

• Ravindra Jadeja will be the lead spin-bowling all-rounder, providing depth with both bat and ball.
• Washington Sundar is another spin-bowling all-rounder who has impressed in the past.
• Nitish Kumar Reddy, a pace-bowling all-rounder, is expected to be the only seam-bowling all-round option in the squad.

All-Rounders:

• Ravindra Jadeja – India's premier all-rounder.
• Washington Sundar – Handy with both bat and ball.
• Nitish Kumar Reddy – A pace-bowling option for balance.

Wicketkeepers: Pant Returns as First-Choice Keeper

• Rishabh Pant is India's undisputed first-choice wicketkeeper in Test cricket. His aggressive batting style can turn matches around, making him a key player.
• KL Rahul, though primarily a batsman, can keep wickets if required.

Wicketkeepers:

• Rishabh Pant – First-choice wicketkeeper.
• KL Rahul – Backup keeper, primarily a batter.

Fast Bowlers: Bumrah to Lead a Strong Pace Attack

Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead India's pace attack, and his success will be vital for the team.

• Mohammed Shami remains one of India's most experienced and reliable pacers.
• Mohammed Siraj has been a consistent performer in red-ball cricket.
• Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep are likely to be included as additional pacers.

Pace Attack:

• Jasprit Bumrah (Vice-Captain) – Leader of the pace unit.
• Mohammed Shami – Experienced spearhead.
• Mohammed Siraj – Reliable performer.
• Prasidh Krishna – Extra pace and bounce.
• Akash Deep – Emerging fast bowler.

India's Likely Squad for England Test Series

1. Rohit Sharma (Captain)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Devdutt Padikkal
6. Abhimanyu Easwaran
7. Sarfaraz Khan
8. Karun Nair
9. Nitish Kumar Reddy
10. Ravindra Jadeja
11. Washington Sundar
12. KL Rahul
13. Rishabh Pant
14. Jasprit Bumrah (Vice-Captain)
15. Mohammed Shami
16. Mohammed Siraj
17. Prasidh Krishna
18. Akash Deep

India's upcoming Test series against England will be a challenging assignment, especially given their past struggles in English conditions. With Rohit Sharma leading the side, experienced players like Virat Kohli, Bumrah, and Shami will play crucial roles in guiding the team to success.

The inclusion of young talents such as Jaiswal, Padikkal, and Sarfaraz adds excitement to the squad. If the players step up, India has a real shot at scripting history in England.

1. Who will captain India in the England Test series?
Rohit Sharma is expected to continue as India's Test captain for the England series.

2. Is Rishabh Pant fit to play in the series?
Yes, Rishabh Pant is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper for India in this series.

3. Will Karun Nair make a comeback to the Test team?
There are strong chances that Karun Nair will be included in the squad, marking his return after seven years.

4. Who will be India's key bowlers in the series?
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj will be leading India's pace attack.

5. What are India's chances of winning the series?
England will be tough opponents at home, but with a balanced squad, India has a strong chance to put up a competitive fight.