Shubman Gill reacts to India’s playing XI plans for England Test series, says many combinations are ready against England, Test series starting on June 20
Story Highlights:
- Shubman Gill confirmed that India have announced multiple team combinations for the first Test.
- India’s strategy for the WTC 2025-27 cycle is currently kept secret and will change as the series progresses.
- Gill hinted at his mindset as a batsman-first captain and how he will strike a balance between leadership and performance.
Shubman Gill reveals India’s playing XI and strategy for the series
India’s playing XI for the upcoming five-match Test series against England has been the centre of attention of not only fans but also experts. The news came on the eve of the first Test match starting on June 20, when new Test captain Shubman Gill was asked to speak to the press, and what he said dropped some big hints about the way the team is formed and their intentions to play in the 2025-27 WTC Championship.
Gill, however, confirmed that India’s playing XI for the first match is still not decided but stressed that the team management has finalised one or two combinations. This indicates that India are not closing all their options with regards to pitch conditions and analysis of opponents. India’s selection policy for the playing XI is sober and reflects a mathematical strategy for a very long and challenging series.
Gill Responded For WTC 2025-2027
When asked about the overarching strategy for the World Test Championship cycle, Gill responded thoughtfully:
“You have to wait till August to see what kind of brand we will play,”
he said with a smile. His words suggest that the team is in a transition phase, building a fresh identity under his leadership. This further emphasises why India’s playing XI choices will be crucial in defining the tone of this WTC campaign.
Captain Gill: Focus on Batting First
Shubman Gill has also made things clear, as he insists on being the captain of the team and also retaining his main batting responsibility. Stressing the need to differentiate between his work as a leader and his performance on the field, he said he would take the field as the first batsman. Such an attitude might rub off on India’s coaching staff, with the composition of the playing XI perhaps settled with some stability in the batsmen batting first over Gill.
India are in the middle of the WTC 2025-27 cycle, with a crucial series against England coming up, so the playing XI selection is in the spotlight in terms of how it might reflect the new approach of this team. With India expected to bring both age and new tactics under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, it would be fair to say that team selection is crucial to not only being effective during this series but also achieving success in the championship.
