In a surprising move, Shardul Thakur was selected for the first Test against England, despite head coach Gautam Gambhir’s previous inclination towards younger players like Nitish Kumar Reddy. With a new captain and the retirement of key players, Team India enters a new era. Thakur’s inclusion, possibly influenced by his past success in England, signals a pragmatic shift in selection strategy. Post navigation NHL trade rumor: Can Connor McDavid sign with Philadelphia Flyers in 2026 amid Edmonton Oilers uncertainty? IND vs ENG: Did Sanjay Manjrekar take a dig at Virat Kohli in commentary? Watch video