India, June 20 -- Team India will kick off its new World Test Championship cycle on Friday as it takes on Ben Stokes' England in the first Test of the five-match series in England. The series is significant not just in terms of the WTC cycle, but also because it begins India's transitional era in the longest format. With two stalwarts of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, retiring from the format, the series will see a relatively younger Indian team aiming to make its mark in Test cricket. While Shubman Gill leads the side for the first time, Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, will be his deputy.

Pant will continue to bat at No. 5 in the Test side, but with added leadership duties, the spotlight on his temperament and appr...