<p>Bengaluru: Indian Test cricket is entering a bold new era, having pressed the reset button with a refreshing blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners.</p><p>It's a combination picked keeping an eye on the future, yet without compromising on the experience that serves as a crucial bridge between the generation that has moved on and the one that's just beginning to take over. The selections also reflect rewards for those who toil hard in domestic cricket but always remain on the radar. </p><p>As expected, Shubman Gill was named the captain of the Indian Test team whose first assignment will be trial by fire -- a five-match series in England where India have won only three times since their first tour of the Old Blighty in 1932. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will be Gill's deputy, and given the relative young age of the two, India can hope to build a core that will serve the team well for a foreseeable future.</p><p>The fitness concerns over Jasprit Bumrah, who was the designated vice-captain to now-retired Rohit Sharma, also made the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee's job easier. With the pacer expected to play fewer than five Tests, passing on the mantle to Gill became apparent. Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan's inclusion was on expected lines while Arshdeep Singh earned the first Test call-up with Mohammed Shami being ignored.</p>.Rohit Sharma climbs to third, Shubhman Gill retains top spot in ICC ODI rankings.<p>Karun Nair's return was a poignant tale of desperate hope and determined effort. His recall to India's fold after seven years, in a way, is a touching redemption for the right-hander, whose fortunes began to slide during India's last tour of England where he was made to sit ahead of a mid-tour replacement.</p><p>Giving him company in the team are his Bengaluru mates, opener K L Rahul and pacer Prasidh Krishna. This is the first time three Karnataka players have found a place in a Test squad since Javagal Srinath played his last Test in November 2010 against West Indies in Kolkata, along with Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble.</p><p>The provision for an 18-member squad has allowed the selectors to pack the side with an extra spinner in Washington Sundar and a pacer in Arshdeep.</p><p>On paper, it's a team with a judicious mix of youth and experience that has in it to take on the world, but don't have any unreasonable expectations.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Indian Test cricket is entering a bold new era, having pressed the reset button with a refreshing blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners.</p><p>It's a combination picked keeping an eye on the future, yet without compromising on the experience that serves as a crucial bridge between the generation that has moved on and the one that's just beginning to take over. The selections also reflect rewards for those who toil hard in domestic cricket but always remain on the radar. </p><p>As expected, Shubman Gill was named the captain of the Indian Test team whose first assignment will be trial by fire -- a five-match series in England where India have won only three times since their first tour of the Old Blighty in 1932. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will be Gill's deputy, and given the relative young age of the two, India can hope to build a core that will serve the team well for a foreseeable future.</p><p>The fitness concerns over Jasprit Bumrah, who was the designated vice-captain to now-retired Rohit Sharma, also made the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee's job easier. With the pacer expected to play fewer than five Tests, passing on the mantle to Gill became apparent. Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan's inclusion was on expected lines while Arshdeep Singh earned the first Test call-up with Mohammed Shami being ignored.</p>.Rohit Sharma climbs to third, Shubhman Gill retains top spot in ICC ODI rankings.<p>Karun Nair's return was a poignant tale of desperate hope and determined effort. His recall to India's fold after seven years, in a way, is a touching redemption for the right-hander, whose fortunes began to slide during India's last tour of England where he was made to sit ahead of a mid-tour replacement.</p><p>Giving him company in the team are his Bengaluru mates, opener K L Rahul and pacer Prasidh Krishna. This is the first time three Karnataka players have found a place in a Test squad since Javagal Srinath played his last Test in November 2010 against West Indies in Kolkata, along with Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble.</p><p>The provision for an 18-member squad has allowed the selectors to pack the side with an extra spinner in Washington Sundar and a pacer in Arshdeep.</p><p>On paper, it's a team with a judicious mix of youth and experience that has in it to take on the world, but don't have any unreasonable expectations.</p>