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India Squad Announcement LIVE: Karun Nair's road back
Karun Nair won the Ranji Trophy with Vidarbha in 2025, after finishing runner-up in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024/25. He then went on to smash 89 off just 40 balls in his first IPL 2025 match for Delhi Capitals this year. As a result, Nair has fought himself back into the selectors' reckoning, and has made the India A squad for the England tour.
Karun last played for India in March 2017.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: Karun Nair backed for No. 4
While Gill is the favourite to become India's new Test match No. 4, 33-year-old Karun Nair has been backed by former cricketer Sanjay Bangar, following an excellent few months in domestic cricket.
"I'm thinking of Karun Nair at No.4. If all the talk of giving domestic cricket the priority and (using it as) benchmark, then he has done everything possible to get his Test spot back," said Bangar, speaking on ESPNcricinfo.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: Who succeeds Virat Kohli?
A lot of debate is also surrounding the successor of Virat Kohli in the No. 4 spot. There are a bunch of candidates. Shubman Gill has been touted by many experts, such as Akash Chopra, but the likes of Karun Nair, KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan are all in the mix.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: Easwaran's superb numbers
Abhimanyu Easwaran has arguably been the most consistent batter in India's domestic circuit over the last few years. Since 2017/18, Easwaran averages 61 in domestic first-class cricket, a figure bettered only by Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan.
The likes of Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar all average significantly lower than Easwaran. It must be noted that Easwaran is also captaining the India A side for the England tour.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: Shout for Abhimanyu Easwaran
India have several doubts to answer ahead of the squad announcement, and one such is the opener. While Yashasvi Jaiswal is a certainty given his rich form in Test cricket, former BCCI selector Saba Karim has thrown the name of Abhimany Easwaran into the mix.
"I want Abhimanyu Easwaran to open the innings for India. He's been around for so many years, he's technically a very correct batter, he's a busy player, he can rotate the strike, and he can also play some good shots," Karim told Sportskeeda.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: New vice-captain is...
If Shubman Gill is the favourite to become Team India's captain, the race for vice-captaincy is wide open. Bumrah might be made vice-captain given his seniority and previous leadership experience, but one cannot count out Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul.
Pant has been one of India's best Test players over the last 5 years, while Rahul is an experienced campaigner with leadership experience.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: Why not Bumrah?
Jasprit Bumrah has more than a valid shout to become India's new Test captain. After all, it was under his leadership that India won a Test in Australia last year. However, as per several reports, Bumrah's injury and workload concerns -- and the possible inability to play all matches and tours -- is the biggest obstacle in him becoming captain.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: Gill to be captain?
As per a report by PTI, Shubman Gill is the clear favourite to become India's new Test captain. At the age of 25, Gill is entering his prime years and is seen as a long-term captaincy option by the management. Remember, he has already been vice-captain in white ball formats.
India Squad Announcement LIVE: Who will be the new Test captain?
Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul. These are the possible contenders for the new Test captaincy, following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. Gill and Bumrah are the two leading candidates, but who will it actually be? According to reports, the decision may already be made.
India Squad Announcement Live: Hello and welcome!
A warm welcome to everyone to NDTV Sports! Today is the big day, today is selection day. India is set to begin a new era in Test cricket today, with the announcement of their squad for the England tour in June, headlined by the appointment of a new Indian Test captain.
Stay tuned for all the live updates!
