The Indian cricket team is currently engaged in an intra-squad match against India A at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, as part of their preparations for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which commences on June 20th. This match provides a crucial opportunity for players to acclimatize to the English conditions and fine-tune their skills before the high-profile series and marks the beginning of their new World Test Championship cycle.

Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to keep the match a closed-door affair, with no live streaming or media access permitted. However, glimpses of the match have surfaced, generating excitement among fans. One such instance captured star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja hitting Washington Sundar for a massive six, highlighting the intensity and competitive spirit of the practice game.

Shubman Gill is leading the senior side, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. India A is being captained by Abhimanyu Easwaran, with Dhruv Jurel serving as vice-captain. Both teams comprise a blend of experienced players and promising youngsters, all vying for a place in the final Test squad.

In addition to Jadeja's impressive hitting, reports suggest that KL Rahul and Shubman Gill also notched up half-centuries, demonstrating their good form. Shardul Thakur has also reportedly delivered a solid performance with the ball. The match serves as an important platform for these players to showcase their abilities and stake their claim for a spot in the playing XI for the first Test.

The squads for the intra-squad match are as follows:

India: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.

India A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC & WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.

While the lack of live coverage is disappointing for fans, the BCCI's decision to provide a player or support staff member for media interaction on the final day suggests that some insights from the match will eventually be shared. The match is scheduled from June 13th to 16th, providing ample time for players to get accustomed to the conditions.