A new chapter in Indian Test cricket began on English soil as Team India, led by freshly appointed red-ball captain Shubman Gill, kicked off preparations for their high-stakes five-match Test series against England. The series, scheduled to begin on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, marks the start of a new era following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video on its official social media handle, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s first training session in London. The video featured the likes of captain Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah engaging in warm-ups, fielding drills, and some light-hearted football to loosen up ahead of the demanding tour.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 ✅
First sight of #TeamIndia getting into the groove in England 😎#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/TZdhAil9wV
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 8, 2025
This five-Test series is not just another overseas assignment — it is being viewed as a defining phase for India’s next-generation cricketers. With matches spread across iconic venues including Edgbaston, Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford, the tour will test India’s resilience and depth in English conditions.
The burden of responsibility now lies with young leaders like Gill and Pant to carry Indian cricket forward. Gill, making his full-time debut as Test captain, will face the challenging task of guiding a relatively younger squad through a gruelling two-month campaign on foreign soil. Pant’s return to Test cricket as vice-captain, following his recovery from a serious car accident in 2022, adds much-needed experience and spark to the batting and leadership group.
The inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah — even in a limited capacity due to workload management — is a welcome boost. His presence in the squad adds teeth to the pace attack, especially crucial in English conditions known to favour seam and swing.
The series, set to run from June to August 2025, promises high-quality cricket and plenty of narratives — a young Indian team stepping into uncharted territory, England looking to defend home dominance, and fans witnessing the rise of a new generation of Test stars.
