Team India turned up the intensity in their first practice session on English soil ahead of the five-match Test series against England with new captain Shubman Gill leading the charge.Â
The session, held at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Saturday, offered the first glimpse of the squad gearing up for the series versus England, beginning June 20.Â
Shubman Gill was spotted coordinating fielding drills and pushing the pace alongside his teammates in a fitting start to India’s upcoming tour of England.
Also read: Chinnaswamy stampede: KSCA secretary, treasurer quit citing 'civic sense’
A Close Look at Day One: Team India’s First Practice Session in EnglandÂ
The mood during India's first training session was upbeat but focused. The players started the day stretching and running. A round of light football before they moved outdoors to focus skill-specific drills.Â
Gill could be seen leading the fielding session, working closely with head coach Gautam Gambhir to ensure high energy and intensity levels throughout.
Fast-bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were mostly restricted to warm-ups. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was seen closely examining the Duke’s ball.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted visuals from the session with the caption:
"First sight of #TeamIndia getting into the groove in England."
Dawn of a New EraÂ
India's tour of England marks the beginning of their campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. The first Test is scheduled to begin on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, with matches set to follow in Birmingham, Lord’s, Manchester, and The Oval.
Notably, India last won a Test series in England in 2007, and since then, the challenge has been steep. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having stepped away from the format, this is very much the dawn of a new era.
Gill, only 25, takes on the role of full-time Test skipper for the first time. He became India’s 37th Test captain. Backing him are senior figures like Rishabh Pant and Jadeja, while the pace attack will be spearheaded by Bumrah and Siraj.