May 28, Major Changes in Indian Cricket: This month has been somewhat surprising for the Indian team. The retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket shocked fans around the world. Following this, Shubman Gill was appointed as the new Test captain for the upcoming England tour. These events stem from India’s performances in the last two Test series—against New Zealand at home last year and their subsequent defeat in Australia.
Coaching Staff Overhaul and T Dilip’s Unexpected Return
Apart from changes at the player level, significant shifts have taken place within the coaching staff. Assistant coach Abhishek Nair and fielding coach T Dilip were removed from their posts last month. However, in a surprising decision, the BCCI has reinstated T Dilip as the fielding coach for the England tour after struggling to find a suitable replacement. The BCCI had initially removed Dilip and Nair following India’s disappointing performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While the board considered appointing a foreign fielding coach, they were unable to finalize an option within the given timeframe. Consequently, Dilip was brought back, as he is well-liked by players and had contributed several innovative fielding initiatives during his previous tenure.
India A’s Preparation for England Lions Clash
Newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill and reserve batsman B Sai Sudarshan might miss India A’s second four-day match against England Lions, starting on June 6. Both players are part of Gujarat Titans, and if the team reaches the IPL final on June 3, their participation in India A’s match would be uncertain. Additionally, Gill and Sudarshan will need to adjust quickly to the red ball format and England’s conditions. India A will be coached by former India player Rishikesh Kanitkar, with Ryan Ten Doeschate as batting coach and Troy Cooley handling bowling duties.
Read More: IND vs ENG: Gill’s Big Test as Captain Amid Selection Debate!
