As India prepares to begin their next World Test Championship cycle (2025-27) with a series against England, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Test captain Shubman Gill addressed the players as they enter a new era following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
The team began official training at Beckenham, where they had previously held a preparation camp. Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel laid out a clear strategy during an internal team meeting, underlining the importance of adaptability and fighting spirit in English conditions.
Players from the India A tour, including Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Karun Nair, joined the senior team following their two draws against the England Lions. During his pep talk, Gambhir underlined the honour of representing his country, particularly in Test cricket.
“All I’d like to convey is that there are two perspectives on this group. One is that we are missing our three most experienced players. We had this incredible opportunity to accomplish something exceptional for the country. I am going to look around.
It’s in this group that I see the hunger, passion, and determination to do something extraordinary. I believe we made sacrifices. If we get out of our comfort zone and start battling not every day, but every session, hour, and day, I believe we can have a spectacular trip. So, make sure we start only today. I think you should start loving playing for your nation because there is no greater honour,’ he remarked in a video posted by BCCI.
Let’s play every ball with purpose, Shubman Gill.
Pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna looked in top form, while Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and new skipper Shubman Gill worked on their different game plans. The intra-squad match beginning this week will be India’s lone preparatory fixture, but it will feature a nearly full-strength squad. Gill also took the opportunity to urge his colleagues for the next hard England summer, urging them to play to thrive under duress rather than just survive.
“Let’s make every internet session meaningful. Let’s prepare like that, put ourselves under a little strain when we go out there, and try to remember that it’s not about going out there and just surviving. Let’s try to figure out our game. How will we play when we reach the threshold? Whether it’s bowlers or batters. And let us make the practice match and each net extremely significant. Let’s play every ball. “Let’s play each ball with purpose,” Gill added.
India’s five-match Test series against England will begin on June 20 at Leeds and run through August, with games at Edgbaston, Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford.
