The Indian cricket team has arrived in the UK, kicking off their highly anticipated five-match Test series against England on June 20. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of the team's arrival on social media, showcasing the players' enthusiasm and readiness for the long tour.
New Captain Shubman Gill's Press Conference
Before departing for England, captain Shubman Gill addressed the media, acknowledging the challenge of replacing experienced players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. "Rohit and Virat are very experienced players, and it's difficult to replace them," he said. However, Gill emphasized that the team has gained valuable experience playing under pressure and boasts a solid combination of batting and bowling.
Team's Batting Lineup
With Rohit's absence, the team management will need to decide on the opening pair, with Yashaswi Jaiswal set to bat alongside another player. KL Rahul's recent century in the India A vs England Lions match has made him a strong contender to partner Jaiswal. Rahul's ability to negotiate early swing and set the tone at the top of the order was evident in his 116 off 168 balls.
The Upcoming Series
The five-match Test series will be a part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. The matches are scheduled as follows:
- 1st Test: June 20, Headingley, Leeds
- 2nd Test: July 2, Edgbaston, Birmingham
- 3rd Test: July 11, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (not mentioned in search results but typically part of such tours)
- 4th Test: July 23, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- 5th Test: July 31, Kennington Oval, London
The series will also be played for the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, named after India's former batsman Sachin Tendulkar and England's former fast bowler James Anderson.