Former Indian left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju emphasized that the upcoming five-match Test series against England, commencing in Leeds on June 20, offers a significant opportunity for a young Indian team to establish their footing and compete confidently on the global stage.

With the departure of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, the inexperienced Indian batting lineup faces a considerable challenge in England, marking the start of their 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Among the current squad, only KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja have recorded Test centuries in England.

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“People often say that teams should capitalize on home conditions. However, there have been many unexpected results, such as India losing to New Zealand at home. This young Indian team has a solid balance and could surprise everyone,” he stated.

“Looking at the England side, their bowling attack is also relatively new. With James Anderson’s retirement and some injuries, they lack experienced fast bowlers. However, we have some seasoned batters who can handle their bowling attack, making it an evenly matched contest,” he remarked.

“So far, England has never reached the finals of the World Test Championship, and they are looking to win more games. Five Test matches allow a great opportunity for this young Indian team to gel and potentially challenge any team in the world as they aim for the next version of the World Test Championship,” Raju shared in an exclusive interview with IANS, organized by Sony Sports Network on Sunday.

With newcomers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, B Sai Sudharsan, and Dhruv Jurel embarking on their first tour of England, while Karun Nair makes a comeback to the Test side, and captain Shubman Gill aims to prove himself in overseas conditions, India faces a well-defined task in managing this transition era.

“We need to give the team adequate time to settle. We’ve been accustomed to senior players like Rohit, Virat, and Ashwin, who have served India for over 15 years. Naturally, their absence will be felt, but it also creates opportunities for others,” Raju noted.

“Every player dreams of representing their country, and all of them aspire to play Test cricket, which is the pinnacle of the game. Players like Sai Sudharsan will need to seize opportunities to establish themselves, as his talent has been widely acknowledged,” he added.

“Karun Nair, who once scored a triple century but lost his way, has done well in domestic cricket to earn his return. We should commend the selection committee for believing in him and for his own consistent performance. The competition for spots is healthy, and it’s up to the players to capitalize on this chance to become successful Test cricketers,” Raju further explained.

He expressed satisfaction with the blend of youth and experience in the bowling lineup. “Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur were successful on their last tour of England. Thakur can be considered a valuable all-rounder,” he said.

“Nitish Reddy also has the potential to become a strong all-rounder, having shown his batting capabilities. However, he needs to shoulder more bowling responsibilities. Additionally, Arshdeep brings diversity to our bowling attack,” Raju added.

Raju believes England’s off-spinner, Shoaib Bashir, could be a surprise threat for Indian batters. Bashir recorded career-best figures of 6-81 in the recent one-off Test against Zimbabwe, showcasing his potential as a match-winner.

“India hasn’t yet faced any spinners from the England Lions in the four-day games played. Given this context, Bashir’s skill and consistency could pose problems for Indian players,” he stated.

“What stands out is his control and field placements. He provides extra bounce and maintains a challenging line, reminiscent of Nathan Lyon. He could be a wildcard in the England bowling lineup, especially since Indian batsmen have been vulnerable against quality spin recently,” concluded Raju.

Catch the India tour of England starting from 3:30 PM on June 20, live on Sony Sports Ten 1 & Sony Sports Ten 5 channels.