India’s five-Test tour of England in 2025 was nothing short of epic: a high-stakes, gripping saga that concluded in a dramatic 2–2 draw. Under the fresh leadership of Shubman Gill, India engaged in an enthralling battle across five historic venues, ultimately sharing the newly instituted Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Beyond a compelling Test series, India now pivots toward defending their Asia Cup title in the UAE (Sept 9-28), under the guidance of the head coach Gautam Gambhir.
1st Test – Headingley, Leeds
Summary
At Headingley, Shubman Gill announced himself with a 127-run knock on debut as Test captain, anchoring India’s charge on Day 1. IND, though solid, lacked support, eventually crumbling under England’s bowling resoluteness. The hosts secured a narrow win.
Analysis
Gill’s century made him the fifth Indian captain to score a century on his Test captaincy debut, joining legends like Hazare and Kohli. While performances from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja showed promise, England’s disciplined pace led by Josh Tongue proved decisive.
Key takeaway: A spirited start, but a clear signal that IND needed depth and resilience.
2nd Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham
Summary
Gill followed up with another unbeaten ton (114*), guiding India to a strong first-innings position and leveling the series.
Analysis
The back-to-back centuries distinguished Gill among Indian captains. Rahul and Jadeja supported him, and India’s bowling clicked at crucial junctures.
Series standing: IND leveled the series 1–1.
3rd Test – Lord’s, London
Summary
A nerve-racking contest saw contributions across the board, with Washington Sundar’s four wickets tilting the game as IND narrowly missed victory after England pulled ahead.
Analysis
India’s resilience at the “Home of Cricket” was notable. Despite near misses, Sundar’s all-round effort symbolized the team’s growing fighting spirit.
4th Test – Old Trafford, Manchester
Summary
Dramatic and enduring IND fought back from unlikely positions, with Gill steering an engaging chase. The test ended in a hard-fought draw.
Analysis
This game was a testament to depth and character. Key players like Gill, Jadeja, and KL Rahul stood tall. England remained potent at home, setting up a grand finale.
5th Test – The Oval, London
Summary
What a finale! IND clinched a 6-run victory on the final day, scripted by Mohammed Siraj’s five-wicket spell, to seal the series 2–2.
Analysis
Defending 374, India held firm. Despite centuries from Root and Brook, IND remained calm. Siraj’s emotional heroics and the dramatic collapse of England, with Chris Woakes bravely batting one-handed, made this one for the ages.
The series has been widely hailed as a modern-day classic.
Statistics & Highlights of the Tour
Most Runs:
- India: Shubman Gill – 754 runs (avg 75.4)
- England: Joe Root – 537 runs
Most Wickets:
- India: Mohammed Siraj – 23 wickets
- England: Josh Tongue – 19 wickets
- Others: Stokes and Bumrah are also in the top five.
Player(s) of the Series: Harry Brook (Eng) & Shubman Gill (Ind).
Indian Captain Shubman Gill was also named as the ICC Player of the Month (July). These milestones are now etched in the inaugural Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy 2025 chapter.
The Future: India Under Gautam Gambhir & Asia Cup 2025
With the rise of new leaders like Gill and Pant, insights from legends like Gambhir can sharpen vision and strategy in this transformative phase. Internal sources indicate a focus on nurturing pacers and versatile T20 talent in preparation for the Asia Cup.
Asia Cup 2025 – UAE, Sept 9-28
The ACC has confirmed the T20 Asia Cup will be held from Sep 9-28 in the UAE across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Format & Teams: 8 teams split into two groups; IND, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman in Group A.
- India vs. Pakistan clash: Set for September 14 in Dubai with high expectations for intense rivalry.
- Defending champions: IND won the 2023 edition and seeks a successful defense.
- Squad buzz: Selection duel looms ahead, with players like Gill, Jaiswal, and Samson in contention.
The Asia Cup offers a vital T20 preparatory platform leading to the next T20 World Cup.
Indian Squad for Asia Cup 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a balanced and dynamic 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, to be played under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. Known for his explosive batting, Suryakumar will captain the side, while Shubman Gill has been appointed as vice-captain.
The squad features a strong mix of youth and experience. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma will share wicket-keeping responsibilities, while all-round options like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube provide depth in both batting and bowling. The batting order boasts talents such as Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh, who have all impressed in recent series.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh lead the pace attack, supported by Harshit Rana as a rising talent. The spin unit includes Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, giving India variety and control in the middle overs.
With Gautam Gambhir as the head coach, the squad reflects a bold new era of Indian cricket, blending attacking flair with strategic depth, as the Men in Blue aim to defend their Asia Cup title.
Full Squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (C)
Shubman Gill (VC)
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson (WK)
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Rinku Singh
Jitesh Sharma (WK)
Axar Patel
Shivam Dube
Kuldeep Yadav
Varun Chakravarthy
Harshit Rana
Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh
Head Coach: Gautam Gambhir
Tour of England Ends All Square: Gambhir-Led IND Set Sights on Defending the Asia Cup Title
India’s 2025 England tour delivered drama, resilience, and unforgettable cricket. The 2-2 draw, etched with epic individual efforts, heralded a new chapter under Shubman Gill’s leadership. As the team transitions under Gautam Gambhir’s stewardship and looks forward to defending the Asia Cup title, this summer is poised as a defining pivot in Indian cricket’s journey.
Baishali Karmakar 
Soureesh Datta 
Tanya Singh