The Indian cricket team, currently in Leeds preparing for their first Test against England which begins today, received a surprise visitor at their net session. Cheteshwar Pujara, a veteran Indian batter who has been somewhat out of favour recently, was seen at Headingley Cricket Ground, offering support and engaging in conversations with the players.

Pujara's presence was a welcome boost for the team, especially the younger members who are embarking on a new chapter for the Indian side. With the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin having retired, the team is under new leadership of Shubman Gill. Gill faces a challenging task as India hasn't won a Test series in England since 2007 and hasn't won a Test at Leeds since 2002.

At the optional net session, key players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Gill had long practice periods, while others including Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, were absent. Karun Nair, who is expected to make a comeback to the team after eight years, also had an extended session, utilizing all practice surfaces. Ravindra Jadeja focused on his batting and later chatted with coach Gautam Gambhir.

The composition of India's final XI remains uncertain. Gill has indicated that the team has multiple options and will make a final decision after a last look at the pitch. The Headingley pitch is expected to be dry, which might influence the selection of the bowling attack and all-rounders. Nair is likely to bat at No. 3, with Jaiswal, Rahul, Gill, Pant, and Jadeja forming the top six. Bumrah and Siraj are expected to lead the pace attack, leaving a few spots open for seamers and all-rounders. Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy are strong contenders for those spots due to their all-round abilities.

The weather in Leeds could also play a significant role in the Test match. While the first day is expected to be mostly clear, the forecast for the following days includes overcast skies and rain, potentially favoring seam bowlers. This might tempt India to include four seamers in their playing XI.

Ajinkya Rahane has already offered his predicted XI, which includes a couple of surprise picks like Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sudharsan. He has excluded Karun Nair and Prasidh Krishna from his selection.

As the team prepares for the first Test, Pujara's visit serves as a reminder of the rich history and tradition of Indian cricket, and perhaps a source of inspiration for the new generation as they step onto the field at Headingley.