Three Players Who Must Perform for India to Overcome England This Summer

Shubman Gill (Image Source: Unsplash)

Test match cricket is firmly back in the limelight following South Africa's riveting upset victory against Australia in the recent World Test Championship final at Lord's. The Proteas' shock comeback triumph brought the curtain down on the 2023-2025 WTC cycle. But as the saying goes, there's no rest for the wicked, and England and India will immediately raise the curtain on the new campaign in the coming weeks as they square off in a five-test series. 

The upcoming showdown is a monster one for numerous reasons. For the touring Indians, the clash represents their first without the talismanic Virat Kohli in their starting lineup following his retirement from test cricket back in May. 

For England, the pressure is on to quickly blend a new-look team in time for the end-of-year Ashes Series against Australia, a series that online sportsbooks make them a rank outsider to win. The latest odds from the popular Thunderpick sportsbook price Australia as a whopping 8/15 favorite to retain the urn for the fifth straight Ashes series, while England are a 3/1 underdog to reclaim the tiny trophy for the first time in over a decade.

But first and foremost, Brendan McCullum's men have the small matter of a blockbuster test series against India to tend to. And if these three men perform for the Men in Blue, the hosts could have a difficult time of it.

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has the weight of the world on his youthful shoulders, having been appointed India's Test captain. At just 25, he inherits a team in flux, where every run he scores and every decision he makes will be magnified. Yet this appointment isn’t without its intrigue. 

The current Gujarat Titans man's resume boasts undeniable talent but a mixed bag of performances overseas. He has had a particularly tough time of it in England, where grounds such as Lord’s and Headingley put his technique against the moving Dukes ball under the microscope. Such pitches are far different than anything the new skipper will find in the subcontinent, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to stand up to the England barrage. 

Gill’s batting form leading up to this clash has been steady but not spectacular, raising the stakes even further. However, it's his ability to lead that may define this series. Composure, reactive decision-making, and field tactics will be tested like never before against England's relentless brand of ‘Bazball’ cricket. 

Channeling Kohli’s passion while infusing his methodical calm, Gill must find the right balance. A couple of commanding centuries could be the spark that rekindles India’s fire in England after an 18-year drought in Test series wins.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant doesn’t just bat; he electrifies. Yet, the Pant we saw in the IPL 2025 was a shadow of his former self. After managing only 147 runs across 13 matches, critics have pounced. But this is one of India's very best that we’re talking about, a player who can change the fate of a game in one frenetic session. One only has to look back at the last time he was playing against England on enemy territory for proof of that, specifically that blistering 146 at Edgbaston in 2022.

The challenge here lies more in his mindset than the technical tweaks suggested by mentors. England knows that without Kohli’s cushion in the middle order, Pant is both a threat and a point of focus. Whether it’s taming the swing early or taking spinners to the cleaners later, his ability to pick his moments will be pivotal. Add to this his duties as vice-captain and wicketkeeper, and he becomes not just a player the Men in Blue need, but a pillar who must stand firm when the pressure mounts.

Jasprit Bumrah

When Jasprit Bumrah steps onto the field, even the most aggressive English batter must pause. India’s pace spearhead has returned from injury with fire in his belly, and he will be hoping to display those match-winning spells of old as quickly as possible. The paceman's track record in England is a fearsome one, and his devastating five-wicket haul at The Oval in 2021 remains firmly etched in the memory.

England’s Bazball thrives on unsettling bowlers, but few bowlers match Bumrah’s versatility. Yorkers, swinging deliveries, and sharp bouncers will all come into play. If India is to pierce England’s top order early, it will be he who leads the charge. 

What could tilt things further in his favor is his knack for delivering under any circumstance, be it with the new ball or conjuring a reverse swing when the ball is scuffed. He has managed to dismiss both Joe Root and Ben Stokes plenty of times over the years, but against England’s flair-filled batting this summer, his role is more than just a wicket-taker. He’s the enforcer, the calmer amid chaos, and arguably the biggest weapon in India’s arsenal.