India's preparations for the upcoming five-match Test series against England are underway, with an intra-squad match taking place at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham. The match, which started on June 13th and is scheduled to run until June 16th, serves as a crucial opportunity for the players to acclimatize to English conditions ahead of the high-profile series that starts on June 20th.

Shubman Gill, the new Test captain, and veteran KL Rahul made the most of the first day, notching up impressive half-centuries. Gill's composed innings showcased his elegant stroke play and sharp footwork, providing a solid foundation for his team. Rahul, also looked in fine form, further solidifying his importance in India's middle order. Their performance has certainly laid down a marker for India's batting plans.

Adding to the positive performances, Shardul Thakur stood out with the ball. Thakur exploited the English conditions, extracting movement off the pitch and troubling the batsmen with subtle variations. His efforts were rewarded with key wickets, offering selectors a timely reminder of his utility in English conditions.

While the match is being played behind closed doors with no live streaming available and media personnel barred from the venue, updates trickled through social media, particularly from the BCCI's official X handle. These updates confirmed the half-centuries from Gill and Rahul, and Shardul Thakur's performance with the ball.

The match was however held in a sombre atmosphere. Before the start of play, the players and support staff observed a minute's silence to honour the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The team also wore black armbands as a mark of respect and solidarity with the grieving families. Furthermore, head coach Gautam Gambhir was absent, having returned home to be with his mother after she suffered a heart attack. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate took charge of the session in his absence.

This intra-squad match is especially important as it marks the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket under the leadership of Shubman Gill, especially after stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Tests and Ravichandran Ashwin from international cricket. The series will be a stern test for the new captain and the team as they look to start the new World Test Championship cycle on a positive note.

KL Rahul had also showed good form scoring 116 and 51 during the second unofficial Test against England Lions at Northampton. Shubman Gill will take confidence from his knock in the intra-squad game, considering his poor average of 14.66 in England. Shardul Thakur will also look to cement his place in the team, battling with young Nitish Kumar Reddy for the spot of a pace-bowling all-rounder.