As the Indian cricket team gears up for a challenging five-match Test series against England, set to commence on June 20, former leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has shared his candid thoughts on the revamped squad. Speaking at the engagement ceremony of Indian batter Rinku Singh in Lucknow on June 8, Chawla voiced both optimism and concern about the team’s readiness for the high-stakes tour, marking the beginning of India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
India’s Test squad, led by the newly appointed captain Shubman Gill with Rishabh Pant as his deputy, reflects a generational shift following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While the team boasts prodigious talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, seasoned players like KL Rahul, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Chawla highlighted a potential vulnerability. ‘They’re not very experienced at the international level,’ he remarked, acknowledging the squad’s relative lack of exposure in Test cricket’s crucible. However, he quickly added a note of hope, saying, ‘They’ve played a lot of cricket and know how to handle pressure situations. Things will get better.’
This series against England, to be played across iconic venues, offers both a challenge and an opportunity for India’s young brigade to prove their mettle. With emerging players like Sai Sudharsan and the ever-reliable all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the mix, the team aims to lay a strong foundation for the WTC cycle. Historically, India has had a mixed record in England, with their last series victory on English soil coming in 2021 under Kohli’s leadership, a 2-1 triumph that showcased resilience and grit.
On a personal note, Chawla, who recently announced his retirement from all formats of the game, reflected on his own illustrious career during the event. Debuting at just 15 for India’s Under-19 team and Uttar Pradesh U-22, he played a pivotal role in UP’s maiden Ranji Trophy title, scalping 35 wickets in his debut season. Internationally, he represented India in 35 matches across formats, claiming 43 wickets at an average of 35.76. His Indian Premier League (IPL) journey was equally impressive, taking 192 wickets in 192 matches for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians, with an average of 26.60.
The engagement ceremony of Rinku Singh with Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj added a festive touch to the evening, with Chawla extending warm wishes to the couple. ‘My best wishes to both of them,’ he said with a smile. Fellow former cricketer Praveen Kumar, also in attendance, echoed the sentiment, calling the ceremony ‘wonderful’ and wishing Rinku ‘all the best for this new inning.’
Rinku Singh, the 27-year-old dynamic batter, has been making waves in limited-overs cricket for India. Since his T20I debut against Ireland in 2023, he has amassed 546 runs in 24 innings at a brisk strike rate of 161.06, including three fifties. A gold medalist with India at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Rinku has also shone for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, scoring 1099 runs at a strike rate of 145.20. His brief ODI stint has seen him notch up 55 runs in two matches, signaling promise for bigger roles ahead.
As India embarks on this new chapter under Gill’s stewardship, Chawla’s words serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between raw talent and seasoned experience. Will this young Indian side rise to the occasion against a formidable England team on their home turf? Only time will tell, but the anticipation is palpable, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.