5 Indian players from BGT 2024-25 who might not feature in India's next Test series in England ft. Rohit Sharma 

After over a decade, India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) when Australia beat them in the final Test of the recently concluded series in Sydney. The hosts won the five-match series 3-1, thus reclaiming the trophy. It was the Indian batting line-up that was one of the pivotal reasons for their surrender.

Player of the Series Jasprit Bumrah stood out for the visitors, finishing with 32 wickets, but he didn't get enough support at the other end. Most of the top and middle-order batters failed to strike form consistently, which eventually led to the series defeat.

For the first time, India also failed to make it to the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). Given how they have fared in the last two series, they didn't deserve to play the final, having lost six of their last eight games. The team management is bound to take a few harsh calls soon.

India will start their next WTC cycle with a five-match away Test series against England on June 20. There is a significant amount of time left for the series to commence and we could see a relatively new look Indian side for the tour. While some of the senior players might face the axe, it's also evident that the youngsters with questionable techniques won't be spared either.

With that, let us now look at five players who were part of the BGT 2024-25 but might not feature in India’s next Test series in England:

# 5. Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran didn't find a place in the playing XI during the BGT. Source: Getty

One of the most consistent run scorers in the domestic circuit, Easwaran was rewarded with a place in the Indian side in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 but didn't get a single opportunity to showcase his talent.

However, you can't really question the captain and coach for not selecting him in the XI as he had a torrid run in the unofficial two-Test series against Australia A ahead of the BGT.

Easwaran has a sound technique when it comes to facing spin but he gets found out when the ball is moving around. He looked totally out of place against Australia A and that might be the reason he wasn't picked in the playing XI during the Test series. With conditions in England expected to be seam-friendly, it looks unlikely that the Bengal opener will be picked for the series.

# 4. Tanush Kotian

Tanush Kotian was added as a replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin. Source: Getty

The off-spinning all-rounder was added to the BGT squad after veteran Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement midway through the series. Kotian deserved the call-up to the Indian side after consistent all-round performances in the domestic circuit. In English conditions, it is unlikely that the offie will be included in the squad.

He adds variety to any squad, given his batting skills lower down the order. Kotian has a relatively sound technique and can chip in with some vital knocks.

He could be the future off-spinner India are looking for but for the England series where conditions are expected to assist the seamers, it will be difficult for him to break into the squad.

# 3. Devdutt Padikkal

Padikkal got an opportunity in the opening Test in Perth. Source: Getty

Padikkal got an opportunity in the opening Test in Perth after Rohit Sharma opted out of the Test to be with his family for the birth of his second child. Padikkal made his Test debut in early 2024 against England and scored a fine half-century. However, when it comes to seaming conditions, his technique has been found out.

Barring a solid 88 against Australia A in the first unofficial Test, Paddikal could not grind it out and failed to make an impact in the rest of the three innings.

Even during the opening Test in Perth, Padikkal fiddled at an outside-the-off stump delivery and nicked it off to the keeper. He might be a prospect for India but given the conditions in England, he might face the axe.

# 2. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli's poor form continued in the BGT. Source: Getty

It will be a massive call from the selection committee if they decide to drop Virat Kohli for the Test series in England. There is no doubt about his talent and ability to score runs in different conditions but the fact of the matter is that Kohli has been woefully out of touch in the longest format for more than five years now.

His decline in the red ball format has been unreal. From having an average of nearly 55 in 2019 to just 47 at the beginning of 2025 is not something that you tend to associate with a great like Kohli. There seems to be a mental block in his Test game at the moment and the selectors could be forced to make this massive call.

Kohli started the BGT with a fine century in the second innings of the Perth Test but failed to make it count in the next four games. What was more surprising was a great like him falling consistently to deliveries outside the off stump. He kept nicking deliveries outside the off-stump channel and was dismissed similarly on eight out of the 10 occasions.

# 1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma walks off the field after getting dismissed in Melbourne. Source: Getty

While he is still the official captain of the Indian Test team, Rohit Sharma has endured a massive decline in the last twelve months. He started 2024 with a couple of centuries against England, but his performances have gone down drastically since then.

After missing the opening Test in Perth, Rohit came for the pink ball Test in Adelaide and failed to make an impact. His poor form continued for the next three Tests before he decided to step down for the final Test to allow the best possible XI to take the field.

Unlike Kohli, Rohit hasn't quite developed a pattern of getting dismissed but his footwork and hand-eye coordination seems to have gone down in the last few months.

While no one can really predict the future but given how he has fared in the last few months, it is unlikely that Rohit will be picked for the England series starting in June.