In a massive development ahead of the high-voltage Test series against Australia in September 2025, the BCCI has announced a fresh-look 17-member Team India squad — and it’s full of surprises! The biggest headline: Abhimanyu Easwaran has been named captain, with Sarfaraz Khan, Ishan Kishan, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Nitish Rana also making the cut.
This move signals a bold shift in India’s red-ball strategy, as the selectors look beyond senior players to groom a new generation of Test stars.
Abhimanyu Easwaran to Lead Team India
The biggest shocker is the appointment of Abhimanyu Easwaran as captain. The Bengal opener, known for his temperament and big scores in domestic cricket, will lead the side for the first time at the international level. His selection as skipper clearly indicates that India is preparing its next generation of red-ball leaders.
Insiders reveal that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been rested or rotated out as part of long-term workload management and future planning.
Full 17-Member Squad for India vs Australia Test Series (September 2025)
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Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain)
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Sarfaraz Khan
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Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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Shubman Gill
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Rajat Patidar
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Nitish Rana
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Washington Sundar
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Axar Patel
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Mukesh Kumar
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Avesh Khan
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Prasidh Krishna
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Arshdeep Singh
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KS Bharat (Wicketkeeper)
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Mayank Agarwal
Fresh Faces, Big Opportunities
The inclusion of names like Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Rana, and Chahal — who are rarely seen in Test whites — has raised eyebrows. Chahal, known primarily for his white-ball exploits, is being considered for the longer format, potentially to exploit Australia’s weaknesses against spin.
Ishan Kishan, too, returns after a brief hiatus and is expected to bring energy and aggression behind the stumps and with the bat.
This squad appears to be a balanced blend of young talent and experienced domestic performers — part of BCCI’s broader goal to build a strong bench for the World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
Australia Series: A Crucial Test for India’s New Core
India’s tour of Australia is always a high-stakes affair, and this time the challenge is even greater with an experimental squad. Abhimanyu’s leadership will be under the scanner, while fans will be eager to see how players like Sarfaraz and Patidar perform in foreign conditions.
The series will be a golden chance for these rising stars to stamp their authority and possibly earn long-term spots in India’s Test setup.
Stay tuned for match schedules, playing XI predictions, and exclusive insights as India gears up to take on Australia in a series that could redefine the future of Indian Test cricket!