IND vs ENG Tests: Cheteshwar Pujara feels England series will be a true test for Shubman Gill-led side

Cheteshwar Pujara. Pic/AFP

As Team India gears up for the five-match Test series against England, batsman Cheteshwar Pujara feels that the tour will be a defining moment for the next generation of Indian cricket.

Speaking on Sony Sports, Pujara stated that the England series will be a true test of the Shubman Gill-led Team India.

"The India-England Test series has always been a true measure of a team's grit and adaptability," Pujara said.

"In the last 100 years, India has managed to win only 3 out of 19 series played on English soil, which highlights just how challenging this contest has been for us," he added.

India's record in England reflects the demanding conditions and tactical complexities of Test cricket in that part of the world, something that even the strongest Indian sides of the past have struggled with but Pujara believes the current squad, led by a young and promising captain in Shubman Gill, has the potential to script a new chapter.

"With a young and dynamic squad, this tour represents a significant turning point for Indian cricket. I look forward to witnessing how this group rises to the occasion and sets new benchmarks for future generations," he said.

The five-match Test series against England will also mark Shubman Gill's first series as Test captain. He will clash against the 'Three Lions' without the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.

It is learnt that Shubman and Sai Sudharsan will likely skip warm-up matches as they are busy featuring in the IPL 2025. Gujarat Titans will lock horns against Mumbai Indians on May 30 at the Maharaj Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

The series against England will take place from June to August 2025, with matches at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London).

India's Test squad for England series: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.

(With ANI Inputs)