The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a new-look Test squad for the high-profile England tour, signaling a generational shift with Shubman Gill taking over as captain and Rishabh Pant as his deputy. However, the selection has sparked debate, as several notable performers have been left out despite strong recent form and past contributions. Here are the top five players not selected for India’s 2025 England tour:
- Shreyas Iyer: Despite a prolific Ranji Trophy season for Mumbai, where he scored 480 runs at an average of 68.57, Iyer was omitted from the squad, raising eyebrows among fans and experts. Iyer was the top scorer for India in their 2025 Champions Trophy win, amassing 243 runs and playing a pivotal role in the team’s success. He has also been in outstanding form in IPL 2025, leading Punjab Kings to the playoffs for the first time in eleven years and accumulating 488 runs at a strike rate of 172.44 after 13 matches.
- Sarfaraz Khan: Known for his consistency in domestic cricket and a Test century last year, Sarfaraz’s exclusion is particularly surprising given his strong first-class record and recent involvement with the national setup. Sarfaraz Khan has been one of the most prolific run-scorers in Indian domestic cricket in recent years. Since his first-class debut in 2014, he has amassed 4,405 runs in 75 innings at a remarkable average of 69.20.
- Axar Patel: Patel’s omission is notable given his strong record as a left-arm spinner and all-rounder, having taken 55 wickets at an average of 19.34 and maintaining a batting average of 35.88 in Test cricket His absence has raised eyebrows, especially as he offers valuable depth with both bat and ball, which could have been beneficial for the challenging five-Test series in England. No official reason for his exclusion has been stated in the squad announcement.
- Harshit Rana: Pacer Harshit Rana has not been selected for India’s senior Test squad for the upcoming England tour in 2025. Despite making an impressive Test debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rana struggled to maintain his early impact in subsequent matches, which influenced the selectors’ decision. This provides him with an opportunity to continue developing and potentially stake a claim for future senior team selection.
- Mohammed Shami: Senior pacer Mohammed Shami has not been included in India’s squad for the upcoming five-Test series against England. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Shami was left out due to fitness concerns. Agarkar stated, “His workload is not where it needs to be. We were hoping he will be available but it is unfortunate. At the moment he is not fully fit”. Shami, who last played a Test in June 2023, has struggled with injuries and was unable to build up the required workload for a long Test series. Recent medical assessments, including MRIs, indicated he would not be able to play all five Tests, leading to his exclusion.
Also Read: India’s Test Squad for England Series: Announcement Status
These omissions highlight the selectors’ focus on new talent and strategic choices for English conditions, but they have left several proven performers on the sidelines ahead of a crucial series.
