Sat May 24 06:25:37 UTC 2025: **India’s Test Squad Announcement Looms: Kohli & Sharma Era Ends, Leadership & Shami’s Fitness in Question**

New Delhi: The Indian cricket team is set to unveil its squad for the highly anticipated five-Test tour of England on Saturday, marking a new chapter after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the format. The announcement is generating significant buzz as fans and experts speculate on who will captain the side and fill the crucial No. 4 batting position vacated by Kohli.

Adding to the intrigue, reports suggest potential shake-ups in the batting order. Cricbuzz reports that domestic stars Sai Sudharshan and Karun Nair may receive call-ups following impressive performances in domestic cricket. While Sudharshan is currently a successful IPL opener, he’s unlikely to fill that role in Tests. Sources indicate that head coach Gautam Gambhir has informally hinted that KL Rahul could open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, potentially shifting Shubman Gill to No. 4 and opening up the No. 3 spot for someone like Sudharsan or Nair.

Meanwhile, veteran seamer Mohammed Shami’s participation hangs in the balance. ESPNcricinfo reports that Shami is unlikely to travel to England due to concerns about his workload preparedness for the rigors of Test cricket, despite being fit to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. A BCCI medical staff member reportedly assessed Shami’s fitness this week, and the selectors are expected to prioritize caution unless the medical report is overwhelmingly positive. Shami’s last Test appearance was in the 2023 World Test Championship final.

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