India's Cricket Team Prepares for First Test Against England
As Team India prepares for their first Test match against England starting June 20, insights from recent net practice sessions reveal potential lineups and key players. Captain Shubman Gill leads the squad, while KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are expected to play crucial roles. However, Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran are likely to miss out on selection. The training sessions have provided clarity on the batting order and the team's strategy for the upcoming match. Stay tuned for more updates on India's cricket journey in England.
| Jun 12, 2025, 13:27 IST
India's Squad Readies for England Test Series
Team India is set to kick off their first Test match against England on June 20. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the team has been diligently engaging in net practice. Recent reports indicate that Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran will not be included in the lineup for the opening Test in Leeds. This conclusion stems from observations made during the net sessions, clarifying who will take the number four position, traditionally held by Virat Kohli. Additionally, the composition of India's playing eleven is becoming clearer with the top six batsmen.
The net session held on Wednesday in Kent provided significant insights into which players might feature prominently in the first Test against England. According to reports, KL Rahul was seen facing fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj during practice. This suggests that KL Rahul is likely to partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal. There had been speculation about Sai Sudharsan stepping in as a new opening batsman following Rohit Sharma, but recent training sessions have not supported this theory.
Meanwhile, captain Shubman Gill and Karun Nair were observed practicing against bowlers in another net session. Nair, returning to the Test team after an eight-year hiatus, has earned his spot due to his impressive performances in domestic cricket and experience in the County Championship. He was seen batting alongside captain Gill during the practice.
Additionally, in a separate batting group, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel were seen practicing together. Pant serves as the vice-captain of the Indian team, while Jurel has recently made headlines by scoring three half-centuries in four innings for India A. The patterns observed in India's net sessions before the first Test against England may provide clues about the top six players in the lineup.