Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 14: As India braces for a challenging five-match Test series against England, former national batting coach Sanjay Bangar has stirred the pot with his surprise pick for the playing XI, dropping seasoned all-rounder Shardul Thakur in favour of emerging talent Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Speaking to JioHotstar, Bangar unveiled a lineup that reflects a significant generational shift in Indian cricket. The XI he envisions includes a blend of experience and fresh energy, but notably omits Thakur—often viewed as India’s go-to seam-bowling all-rounder in overseas conditions.
“Nitish Reddy gets the nod over Shardul,” said Bangar. “I consider Nitish a proper batter who can bowl a bit, rather than a bowler who can bat. That distinction puts him ahead in my playing XI.”
?? Bangar’s Predicted XI:
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• KL Rahul
• Abhimanyu Easwaran
• Shubman Gill
• Rishabh Pant
• Karun Nair
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Prasidh Krishna
• Mohammed Siraj
• Jasprit Bumrah
This bold selection comes as India embarks on a new era in red-ball cricket. Following the Test retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill will lead the side with Rishabh Pant stepping in as vice-captain and first-choice wicketkeeper. The squad, announced earlier, reflects a strategic mix of tried performers and promising newcomers like Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Nitish Reddy.
?? The Big Picture:
The first Test kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, marking the start of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. India last won a Test series in England back in 2007, and the current campaign, spanning traditional English fortresses like Lord’s, Edgbaston, and Old Trafford, presents a tough challenge for the young squad.
Bangar’s forward-looking XI could signal India’s willingness to recalibrate its Test strategy with all-format players and fresh middle-order solutions like Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
???? India’s Full Squad
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
?? England Squad
Ben Stokes (C), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
As the countdown to the opening Test begins, all eyes will be on India’s final XI and whether Bangar’s vision aligns with the team management’s plans—or foreshadows a bigger shift in Indian Test cricket’s evolution.