Shubman Gill was on Saturday entrusted with India's Test captaincy to steer through a 'massive transition' phase with the swashbuckling Rishabh Pant as his deputy for next month's tour of England that is expected to be nothing short of a trial by fire.
Gill, at 25 years and 258 days, is the fifth youngest Test captain for India. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (21 years, 77 days) is the youngest Test captain followed by Sachin Tendulkar (23 years, 169 days), Kapil Dev (24 years, 48 days), and Ravi Shastri (25 years, 229 days).
"We discussed every option that was there and over the last year or so we have looked at Shubman at various times. We have taken the feedback from the dressing room. We are hopeful he is the guy. It is a high pressure job but he is a terrific player. We wish him all the best," said chief selector Ajit Agarkar after announcing the squad in Mumbai.
"Pant is one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years. A wicketkeeper can see the game well and that's why he is Shubman's deputy," Agarkar added while explaining the 27-year-old Pant's role.
The selectors' decision on the team's leadership was on expected lines following the retirement of senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom called it quits within a week of each other earlier this month.
Bumrah, 31, has been Rohit's deputy and captained India in two Tests in Australia last season but chief selector Agarkar said they could not risk burdening the pace ace with leadership.
"I think he's more important to us as a player. We want him fit," he said.
"There's always that extra burden when you are leading and managing 15-16 people, it takes a lot out of you.
"We'd rather have him bowling as well as he does than putting that extra burden on him. He's aware of it. We had a chat with him and he's okay with it."
Young left-hander B Sai Sudharsan and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh earned their maiden Test call-up.
"Sai has not been picked based on IPL, he has shown the right temperament and has the game to succeed at the top level...we have been looking at him for a while," Agarkar said, referring to Sudharsan's fine IPL form.
The squad also features Karun Nair, who returns to the national set-up after eight years. Having last played in 2017, Nair was dropped from the team soon after becoming the second triple centurion in Tests from India.
A notable exclusion was pacer Mohammed Shami, who was deemed not fit enough for the long series.
"He wasn't going to be able to play five Tests, his workload is not where it needs to be. The medical team ruled him out. We were hoping he will be available but it is unfortunate. At the moment he is not fully fit," said Agarkar.
From the tour of Australia, Harshit Rana and Sarfaraz Khan have been dropped.
Gill's rare talent is undisputed but he is yet to prove himself in Test cricket, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries.
Agarkar claimed that the retirements of Rohit, Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin has left India with a massive transition task but is a great opportunity for youngsters to prove their worth.
"It is a massive transition. Both Rohit and Virat were around for a long time," added Agarkar.
"When guys like that retire, always big holes to fill. Ashwin also retired. Those three have been stalwarts, it is always difficult. One way of looking at it is, opportunity for someone else. Had conversations with both of them. Virat reached out early April, seem him give 200 percent every ball he plays even when he is not batting or on the field. He felt he had given everything he had, if he can't keep up to the standards it was time for him. It's come from him. Have to respect that. They have earned that respect."
India's squad for England Tests: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain, w/k), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K L Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (w/k), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
Schedule: India's Test series in England:
June 20-24: 1st Test, Leeds
July 2-6: 2nd Test, Birmingham
July 10-14: 3rd Test, Lord's
July 23-27: 4th Test, Manchester
July 31-August 4: The Oval
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