Shubman Gill unveiled as new India Test captain ahead of series in England

The 25-year-old Gill takes over the leadership reins from Rohit Sharma, who retired from the longest format earlier this month.

Gill was chosen as skipper ahead of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was the designated vice-captain and led India in two Tests on tour in Australia earlier this year.

India selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar said: "We obviously discussed every option that's there. Over the last year or so, we have looked at Shubman at various times, even when we played England last year.

"We are hopeful we have picked the right guy. He's a terrific player and best wishes to him. We've seen some progress over the last year or two.

"It is going to be as tough as it gets for five Tests in England; maybe he'll have to learn on the job. But we're very confident.

"It's a new cycle and an opportunity to build something. It's someone else's chance now."

Agarkar also confirmed that Bumrah was not considered for a permanent captaincy role as they try to manage his workload after recent injury concerns.

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the vice-captain of the 18-man squad for the tour to England and will be the first series since the retirements of experienced trio Rohit, Virat Kohli and Ravi Ashwin.

"Bumrah was the vice-captain in Australia, but since he was not available for all five [Tests then], we wanted him fit...," Agarkar added.

"We'd rather have him bowling as well as he does than put extra burden on him. We had a chat with him and he's okay with it. It was to do with his workload maangement and about having him fit as a player.

"Pant is one of our better batters in the last couple of years. He will help Gill out with all the experience (he has). At the moment, these two are the guys we feel will take the team forward.

"Everyone is going to be tested in England, like it was in Australia. We are confident he has got the goods. It's a massive transition with Rohit and Virat not being around.

"It's a new cycle, experience can only help. It is going to be tough. As far as Gill's batting is concerned, there's no real issue."

Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh have been picked in India's Test squad for the first time, while Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur have made comebacks.

India Test squad to tour England: Shubman Gill (captain),  Rishabh Pant (vice-captain, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Arshdeep Singh.

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