The Indian cricket team has reached Leeds to begin preparations for the first Test against England, scheduled to start on June 20th at Headingley. The five-match series marks the beginning of a new era for the Indian Test side, especially after the recent retirements of veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill will lead the team for the first time in a Test match.
Adding to the excitement, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana has joined the Indian squad as a travel reserve. Rana, who was initially part of the India A team that played against England Lions, remained in England and has now linked up with the senior squad. Although the BCCI has not officially confirmed whether Rana's inclusion is due to an injury concern or simply to bolster the fast-bowling options, his presence adds depth to the pace attack.
The Indian team arrived in Leeds by train from Beckenham, where they participated in an intra-squad game against India A. This warm-up fixture allowed the players to acclimatize to the English conditions and gain valuable match practice ahead of the Test series. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is also expected to rejoin the squad in Leeds, having returned to India temporarily due to a medical emergency involving his mother.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has already shared his predicted playing XI for the first Test. He suggested that Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul should open the innings, with Sai Sudharsan batting at No. 3. Shastri also included Karun Nair in his XI, praising his recent domestic performances. His bowling attack includes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, along with a choice between Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh, depending on the conditions.
The pitch at Headingley is expected to offer assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. According to pitch curator Richard Robinson, a total of 300 runs in the first innings would be a good score, with batting expected to improve as the match progresses.
With the series being India's first major outing in the new World Test Championship cycle, the team will be keen to make a strong start. The inclusion of young talent alongside experienced players makes for an exciting blend, and their performance in this series will set the tone for their red-ball ambitions in the years to come.
