Changing of the Guard: India to announce Test team for England Tour on Saturday

Dubai: The announcement of India’s Test squad for the tour of England is the most eagerly awaited in recent memory. This isn’t just a team selection — it marks the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket.

With the retirements of captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the two stalwarts of the last generation, the Indian board is now tasked with appointing a new skipper — and identifying the right successor for the iconic No. 4 batting position, occupied for 37 years by Sachin Tendulkar and then Kohli. That alone underlines the magnitude of the transition.

India will usher in this new phase under coach Gautam Gambhir, who is under pressure after consecutive Test series defeats — first at home to New Zealand, then away in Australia.

“The Men’s Selection Committee will select India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England on May 24 in Mumbai,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement on Friday.

“The selection meeting will be followed by a press conference at 1.30pm IST (approx.) on Saturday,” it added.

With Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill the two leading contenders for the Test captaincy, the anxious wait continues for another day.

While fans speculate over the squad and who will lead the team in the five-Test series starting June 20 — which also marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle — former India wicketkeeper and current RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik spoke about Kohli’s mindset post-retirement.

“It came as a shock to the outside world, so we are just observing what Virat is up to. He is at his happiest best now, he is enjoying the sport, and he really wants to spend his time with his family. It’s a personal decision, we respect it, and like everyone else, this is happening — but the fact is, it’s great to see him happy and ready whenever we want him to play. The key is to keep him in good spirits,” Karthik said in a pre-match chat with broadcasters.