High-intensity drills, friendly sledges, and Gautam Gambhir’s mentoring set the tone for India’s crucial Test tour
India’s red-ball campaign in England is off to a fiery start. With the five-match Test series beginning June 20, the Indian team kicked off their preparations with an intense training session at the Kent County Ground, Beckenham. And it was anything but a warm-up.
Bumrah vs Gill: Pace Meets Pressure
The standout moment of the session was a thrilling battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill, who has now taken the mantle of India’s Test captain. Bumrah, coming off a stellar 32-wicket haul in the Australia series, showed no signs of easing up. He bowled a fiery spell to Gill, with plenty of movement and venom in each delivery — giving the skipper a proper English welcome.
With India missing stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin, and Gill under pressure to improve his overseas Test record, this duel could set the tone for what lies ahead.
Pant vs Siraj: Banter and Bounce
Another entertaining subplot featured Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj exchanging light-hearted sledges. Pant, fresh from a sizzling IPL century, showed solid confidence, while Siraj, determined to regain his rhythm after a modest run in Australia, pushed the tempo. With Mohammed Shami missing from the squad, the stakes are high for Siraj to deliver.
Gambhir’s Watchful Eye on Sudharsan
Head coach Gautam Gambhir wasn’t just a spectator. The former opener was hands-on, especially with Sai Sudharsan, India’s new batting talent and IPL 2025 Orange Cap holder. Gambhir’s close mentoring hints at a potential debut for the left-hander — but questions remain about his position in the batting order.
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