Gautam Gambhir Motivates Team India Ahead of England Test Series
Inspiring Words from Coach Gambhir
Beckenham [UK], June 12: As India prepares for its five-Test series against England, head coach Gautam Gambhir and newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill delivered an uplifting huddle talk. During this session, Gambhir praised batter Karun Nair for his remarkable 'never-give-up' attitude, which has facilitated his return to the Test squad after an eight-year hiatus.
A New Era for Indian Cricket
This tour marks the beginning of India's ICC World Test Championship cycle for 2025-27 and signifies a new chapter, especially with the retirement of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with Ravichandran Ashwin stepping away from international cricket. The first Test is set to commence at Leeds on June 20.
Gambhir's Praise for Nair
In a video shared on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) website, Gambhir highlighted Nair's journey, stating, 'Comebacks are never easy. Someone who has made a comeback after seven years had a phenomenal last year. Your never-giving-up attitude is inspiring for everyone. Welcome, Karun.'
Nair's Stellar Domestic Season
Nair's selection comes during a transitional phase following an outstanding domestic season. He amassed 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, averaging 53.93 with four centuries and two fifties across 16 innings. His highest score of 135 was achieved in the final, contributing to his team's victory. In warm-up matches for India A against England Lions, he scored 259 runs in three innings, including a double century.
Vijay Hazare Trophy Success
A standout moment in Nair's season was his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 779 runs in nine matches, boasting an impressive average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04, including five centuries and a top score of 163 not out. He played a crucial role in leading his team to the finals, although they were defeated by his former team, Karnataka. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 255 runs in six innings, averaging 42.50.
Gambhir's Encouragement for Sudharsan
Gambhir also recognized Sai Sudharsan, the Gujarat Titans opener who earned the Orange Cap for most runs in the IPL, scoring 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21. 'We will ensure you have a successful red-ball career as well,' he remarked.
Welcoming Arshdeep Singh
Additionally, Gambhir welcomed pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has excelled in white-ball cricket, being India's leading T20I wicket-taker with 99 wickets in 63 matches. 'I want to welcome Arsh, who has been phenomenal with the white ball. I am confident you will make an impact with the red ball too,' he stated.
A Call to Action from Gill
Gambhir also welcomed Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant into the leadership group, emphasizing the importance of viewing the absence of senior players as an opportunity to achieve something remarkable for the nation. 'The hunger, passion, and commitment to do something special are evident. If we make sacrifices and step out of our comfort zones, we can build an incredible team,' he encouraged.
Gill's Focus on Purposeful Play
Gill echoed this sentiment, urging his teammates to 'find their game' and approach every ball with intent. 'Let’s make every practice session meaningful and prepare under pressure. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about discovering how we will perform under pressure,' he concluded.
Upcoming Test Series Schedule
The series will take place from June to August 2025, with matches scheduled at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord’s and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.
India's Test Squad for the England Series
India's Test squad includes: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.