Everything changed when Rohit Sharma walked away from red-ball cricket in May 2025. Suddenly, the India test cricket squad wasn't just a list of names; it was a puzzle. People thought the transition would be messy. Honestly, it kind of was for a minute there, but looking at the current setup in early 2026, the blueprint is finally clear.
Shubman Gill is the man in charge now. At just 26, he’s leading a team that looks drastically different from the one that dominated the 2010s. You've got legends like Virat Kohli still hanging around in the white-ball formats, but the Test side is increasingly becoming a playground for the "A-team" graduates.
The New Hierarchy Under Shubman Gill
Being the 37th captain of India’s Test side is a heavy lift. Gill took over officially for the England tour in June 2025, and since then, the vibe has shifted. It’s less about the old-school grind and more about a weirdly aggressive consistency.
Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain. That’s a massive statement from the BCCI. It says they value that chaotic, match-winning energy right at the heart of the leadership. When you look at the India test cricket squad today, the core is built around guys who don't just want to draw—they want to finish games in four days.
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The current squad for the recent assignments includes:
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rishabh Pant (VC & WK)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Axar Patel
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Mohammed Siraj
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Akash Deep
Why the Top Order is a Headache
Yashasvi Jaiswal is basically immovable at the top. The kid is a run machine. But who partners him? That’s where it gets interesting. While Gill often slots in at three, the rotation between KL Rahul and newcomers like Sai Sudharsan has kept fans guessing.
Sudharsan earned his stripes with a massive 248-run haul during the India A series against Australia A in late 2025. It’s hard to ignore that kind of domestic form. Then you have Devdutt Padikkal, who hit 150 in the same series. The bench strength is honestly terrifying for other nations.
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The Bowling Revolution
Jasprit Bumrah remains the undisputed leader of the attack. He’s like a cheat code. But the emergence of Akash Deep and the steady rise of Nitish Kumar Reddy as a seam-bowling all-rounder has given the India test cricket squad a balance they’ve craved since the peak Hardik Pandya days.
Reddy is the name everyone is talking about lately. He’s filling that vital "fourth seamer who can bat" role that makes away tours much less daunting.
On the spin front, Ravindra Jadeja is still the king. However, Washington Sundar has become more than just a backup. His ability to hold an end with the ball and play like a specialist batter at number seven or eight makes him a tactical nightmare for opposition captains.
Realities of the 2025-26 Season
India’s recent trip to Australia for the white-ball leg showed some cracks, with Australia taking the ODI series 2-1. But the Test mindset is different. In the most recent Test match in Sydney (January 2025), even though Australia won by 6 wickets, Jasprit Bumrah walked away as Player of the Series. That tells you everything about the individual brilliance still carrying this team.
The transition isn't just about replacing skill; it's about replacing "clutch" moments.
What’s Next for the Squad?
If you're following the India test cricket squad, the focus is now on the World Test Championship cycle. The management is clearly prioritizing youth in the batting department while keeping the bowling experienced.
Misconceptions about this team usually center on the "post-Rohit" era being a collapse. It’s not. It’s a pivot. The inclusion of players like Dhruv Jurel—who has proven he can handle pressure behind the stumps and with the bat—shows that the selection committee is looking at long-term stability.
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Key Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the All-rounders: The success of the current squad depends heavily on Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. If they fail, the tail becomes too long.
- Leadership Transition: Gill’s captaincy is still in its honeymoon phase, but his rapport with Head Coach Gautam Gambhir is the real story to watch.
- Domestic Weight: Performance in India A tours is now the primary gateway to the Test side. Gone are the days of getting picked solely on IPL highlights.
To truly understand where this team is going, keep a close eye on the Ranji Trophy standouts this season. The BCCI has made it clear: if you don't play red-ball domestic cricket, you don't wear the white jersey. Monitor the fitness updates on Shreyas Iyer as well; his return to the Test fold depends entirely on his ability to handle the five-day grind at the Centre of Excellence.