Indian Cricket Team's Travel Plans for England After IPL

Travel Arrangements for Indian Players

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to provide players with some downtime following the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) before their journey to England. Reports indicate that the team will depart in groups, with head coach Gautam Gambhir leading the first group.

According to a report from a prominent news outlet, the initial group of Indian players, accompanied by Gambhir, is scheduled to leave on June 6. The remaining players will follow after the IPL playoffs, allowing them sufficient time to rest before transitioning to the Test format. A source close to the BCCI shared with the outlet,

"Players who finish their IPL commitments early are expected to travel with coach Gambhir on June 6. The others will depart after a brief break following their IPL 2025 engagements."

Interestingly, the Indian coaching staff is currently not in the country and is anticipated to join the team directly upon their arrival in England. The announcement of the Test squad is still pending, and players along with coaching staff will receive updates once it is officially released.

In the meantime, the first group of the Indian team is likely to set off on May 25. Players not involved in the IPL or playoff matches will travel with this initial batch, while others will join later. Although the India A squad was expected to be announced earlier this week, the revised IPL schedule has led the senior men's selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, to modify their plans.

With Rohit Sharma stepping away from the Test format, a leadership gap has emerged within the team. Sources suggest that Shubman Gill is a leading candidate for the captaincy, although KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are still in contention. Following the IPL, India is set to tour England for a five-match Test series commencing on June 20, with the first Test scheduled at Headingley, Leeds.