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Sai Sudharsan receives his first Test cap as India faces England at Headingley, commencing their new World Test Championship cycle. Shubman Gill, after winning the toss, elected to bat first on a green pitch. The inclusion of the 23-year-old Sudharsan at No.

India chose to bat first against England. Shubman Gill leads a young team. Karun Nair makes a comeback after seven years. He last played in March 2017. Nair shares his journey and determination. He mentions staying patient and enjoying small things. Nair is excited to play with KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna. India begins a new World Test Championship cycle.

Cricket legends Matthew Hayden and Graeme Smith predict India will struggle in the upcoming Test series in England, citing the significant loss of experience due to the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin. Hayden anticipates a tough challenge for the young captain, Shubman Gill, in the seaming conditions.

Ajinkya Rahane has unveiled his predicted India playing eleven for the first Test against England, featuring three debutants: Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, and Arshdeep Singh. Shubman Gill will captain the side in the absence of senior players like Kohli and Sharma. Rahane's lineup includes Jaiswal and Rahul as openers, with Gill at number four.

Former England skipper Alastair Cook observes that Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma's Test retirements mark a significant shift in India's dressing room dynamics, creating a 'clean slate' for new leadership under Shubman Gill. Despite their recent form decline, Kohli and Sharma's absence removes unchallenged authority, potentially impacting team culture.

England captain Ben Stokes acknowledges the absence of key Indian players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the upcoming Test series but warns against underestimating India's new squad under Shubman Gill. Stokes praises Jasprit Bumrah and welcomes Chris Woakes' return, highlighting England's strong record with him.

Shubman Gill, at 25, is set to captain India in Test cricket for the first time against England at Headingley. The article revisits the debut Test matches of previous Indian captains, highlighting their varied experiences. From Kohli's aggressive start with centuries to Ganguly's commanding win, each leader carved a unique path.

Mohammad Kaif supports Karun Nair's Test comeback, drawing parallels to Dravid, Laxman, and Pujara due to his red-ball temperament and consistency. Kaif also praises Sai Sudharsan's solid technique, envisioning him as a future Pujara or Dravid. For the fourth fast bowler slot, Kaif favors Nitish Reddy over Shardul Thakur, highlighting Reddy's batting prowess and recent red-ball performance.

Shubman Gill, the new Test captain, expressed his honour at leading India and confirmed he would bat at No.4, filling Virat Kohli's spot. He emphasized creating a secure team environment and backing young players. While keeping the playing XI flexible based on pitch conditions, Gill hinted at an evolving team identity to be revealed later in the series.

Following Virat Kohli's retirement, Shubman Gill is set to bat at No. 4, a decision endorsed by coach Gambhir and Pant. Vengsarkar, who previously occupied the same position, advises Gill to adjust his bat position for straighter play.