The Indian cricket team's preparations for the upcoming five-Test series against England have been eventful, marked by selection dilemmas and a brief disruption due to head coach Gautam Gambhir's family emergency. As the first Test approaches on June 20 in Leeds, the team management faces crucial decisions regarding the composition of the playing XI, especially given the recent retirements of key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Gambhir, who had traveled with the team to England to oversee preparations, had to rush back to India following a heart attack suffered by his mother, who was admitted to the ICU. He is now set to rejoin the team in England on June 16th. In his absence, assistant coaches Sitanshu Kotak, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel took charge, leading the team in a four-day intra-squad match against India A in Beckenham. VVS Laxman was also present, though he had no official role and was simply visiting the team en route to Switzerland.

The intra-squad match provided an opportunity for players to gain valuable match practice and stake their claim for a spot in the Test side. Shardul Thakur, though not initially part of the Test squad, made a strong statement with a blistering century, scoring 101 off 76 balls and later 122 off just 68 deliveries. These performances have certainly put him in contention for the fast-bowling all-rounder role.

With the departure of Kohli and Sharma, the Indian batting lineup is undergoing a significant transition. Newly appointed captain Shubman Gill, along with Gambhir, faces the challenge of filling the void left by these experienced players. The focus is now on identifying and nurturing young talent to step up and perform in the challenging English conditions.

The selection of the final XI for the first Test remains a topic of intense discussion. Before leaving for India, Gambhir and Gill had indicated that a decision would be made after assessing the players during the ten-day camp and the intra-squad game. The team management will be closely evaluating the performances and considering various factors, including form, conditions, and team balance, before finalizing the lineup.

India's tour of England will be a stern test of their mettle, especially with a relatively inexperienced batting lineup. The five-Test series spans from June to August, with matches scheduled at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester. The team will need to adapt quickly to the English conditions and display resilience and determination to compete against a formidable England side.