Team India is set to take on England in a five-match Test series starting June 20, with Shubman Gill leading a young squad. With seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin not part of the lineup, the spotlight shifts to two key players — KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

Both Rahul and Pant have proven their worth in red-ball cricket and are expected to play crucial roles in England. Rahul recently hit form with a century and a fifty against the England Lions, while Pant impressed with a ton in his final IPL 2025 game against RCB.

Looking at their Test records in England:

Rishabh Pant has played 8 Tests, scoring 511 runs in 15 innings at an average of 34.06, including 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries, with an impressive strike rate of 70.19.

KL Rahul has featured in 9 Tests, amassing 614 runs in 18 innings at an average of 34.11, with 1 century and 2 fifties to his name.

With nearly identical stats, this series could determine who truly dominates English conditions among the two.

India's tour of England carries added significance for Rishabh Pant, who returns as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper and serves as vice-captain under newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill.

While his late return to form came too late to influence LSG’s fortunes in the IPL, it's a timely boost for the national side. Pant brings with him the skill and temperament needed to succeed in English conditions. His last three Test innings in England — scores of 50, 146, and 57 — highlight his ability to perform under pressure.

With Pant back in rhythm and taking on a leadership role, India’s batting unit gains both experience and aggression — a combination that could prove crucial in the five-match Test series.