Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed the new-look Indian squad, describing it as having the ideal mix of youth and experience ahead of the white-ball tour of England in 2026. Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Shastri expressed particular confidence in Shreyas Iyer's captaincy of the T20I side and singled out several young players as ones to watch.

Shastri's Verdict on the Squad

'This new Team India has a great mix of youth and experience. Shreyas Iyer is a strong player in T20 cricket. It excites me to see him given the chance to lead the new Indian team. I look forward to some excellent performances from Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, and all the other team members,' Shastri said.

T20I Squad: Youth at the Helm

Shreyas Iyer will captain the T20I side, with Tilak Varma named vice-captain. The squad features a raft of emerging talent — Abhishek Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Suryansh Shedge, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Prince Yadav, and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Senior Trio Returns for ODIs

The ODI squad marks the return of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, injecting established quality into the touring party. Kohli comes back after missing the Afghanistan series due to a hamstring injury. Bumrah will spearhead a pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Gurnoor Brar. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are the designated wicketkeeping options, while Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar cover the spin department.

Gavaskar Excited by Young Talent

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar echoed the optimism, calling the tour a compelling opportunity for India's next generation. 'This Indian team for the England tour in 2026 is a fascinating mix of youth and experience. I'm especially eager to see how they perform on English soil. Shreyas Iyer, leading the team with Tilak Varma as vice-captain, creates a solid foundation. The real excitement comes from the young talents like Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Both can be game-changers against any bowling attack. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan will be key in the middle order, while the bowling lineup of Prasidh Krishna, Ravi Bishnoi, and the rising Harshit Rana looks strong,' Gavaskar said.

What to Watch on the Tour

English conditions — seaming pitches, overcast skies, and disciplined county-trained bowling attacks — have historically tested Indian batting depth. The T20I leg will be an early indicator of whether this transitional side can hold its own without the senior core. Notably, the dual-squad approach, with a youth-heavy T20I group and a senior-laden ODI unit, signals a deliberate generational handover strategy from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). How Iyer manages the dressing room and how the teenagers cope with English conditions will define the tour's legacy.