“Strange Team Selection”: East-India Star’s blunt decision on 18-member squad led by Shubman Gill for England Test series

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar on Saturday described India’s 18-fighter Test squad as “strange” for the tour of England, but asked for a patient’s approach to the newly appointed Test Captain Shubman Gill. India will play five Tests against England starting on June 20, and Batting Star Gill has been entrusted with the responsibility of running the team during the “massive transition” phase after the retirement of top stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Former batsman, a former batsman wrote on his ‘X’ handle without explaining the reasons for his observation, “This is the selection of the team overall.

Choosing the overall strange team. But India goes to England to lose anything. It is a team in infection, so we can only do it very well and yes, be patient when it comes to returns on investment.#indianteam

– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjreker) May 24, 2025

The young left-handed Sai Sai Reformson and veteran Karun Nair have been brought to replace Rohit and Kohli, while left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has also earned his first Test call-up.

Congratulating the team, former seam-unanderor Irfan Pathan wrote: “Several congratulations to Sai Sudarshan, Arshdeep Singh, Karun Nair for the final format and challenging English summer.

“Congratulations to Shubman Gill to be appointed as Indian Test captain. But Team India is definitely going to remember Mohammed Shami’s services in those situations.”

Many congratulations to Sai Sudarshan, Arshdeep Singh, Karun Nair for the final format and challenging English summer. Congratulations to Shubman Gill for being appointed as Indian Test captain. But definitely Team India is going to remember Mohammed Shami …

– Irfan Pathan (@irfanpathan) May 24, 2025

At the age of 25, Gill Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (21), Sachin Tendulkar (23), Kapil Dev (24) and Ravi Shastri (25) will be the fifth youngest Test captain in India.

“Congratulations @Shabmangil. Best wishes in England,” wrote by former India captain Harbhajan Singh.

Congratulations @Shubmangill Best wishes in England https://t.co/lvkccsique

– Harbhajan Turban (@harbhajan_singh) May 24, 2025

The IPL franchise also took Gill on social media to congratulate.

“Congratulations to Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, this is your time to shine the most bright shining. Move forward, create your legacy, and turn dreams into reality!”

Congratulations to Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, this is your time to shine the most bright. Go ahead, build your legacy, and turn dreams into reality! #Playbold #ನಮ್ಮ RCB #ENGVIND pic.twitter.com/uov9lvojdb

– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@Rcbtweets) May 24, 2025

Chennai Super Kings wrote: “From the next gene to the next captain. Shubman Gill took India to a new Test chapter!

“EK Nai Test Era’s-Erab! Our captain, now #team India’s Test skipper!”

From the next gene to the next captain.
Shubman Gill takes India to a new test chapter! #ENGVIND #WHISTLEPODU pic.twitter.com/p3Aeov3zyk

– Chennai Super Kings (@chennaiipl) May 24, 2025

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