Sports: Ahead of their challenging Test series against England, the Indian squad was seen putting in serious yards on the field, all while a light-hearted camaraderie played out amongst the players.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a glimpse of these intense fielding drills, masterminded by fielding coach T Dilip.
The session encompassed everything from acrobatic low catches to soaring high grabs, and precision throws aimed at the stumps from considerable distances. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant’s attempt narrowly missed the mark, eliciting a relatable “Arey yaar” in a moment of playful frustration.
The energy on the field was palpable, highlighted by Indian Test captain Shubman Gill’s spontaneous appreciation for his Gujarat Titans teammate, Sai Sudharsan, who held onto a particularly sharp catch. “Catching yaar,” Gill exclaimed, impressed by Sudharsan’s agility. The session concluded with a joyous display from Mohammed Siraj, who, after cleanly completing a catch, celebrated by leaping high into the air, a testament to the team’s spirit.
The upcoming five-Test tour of England, commencing on June 20 at Leeds and extending until August 2025, marks a significant juncture for Indian cricket. With the recent retirements of batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket last month, the team finds itself in a transitional phase. Bereft of its long-standing torchbearers, the management has placed its faith in a crop of promising youngsters, heralding the dawn of a new era. The onus now firmly rests on the Shubman-led revamped side to assert themselves and perform under the gruelling and testing English conditions, away from home.
The series itinerary includes matches at renowned venues such as Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, the iconic Lord’s and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester. India’s Test squad for this crucial series features 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. England’s squad for the first Test against India comprises Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (capt), Josh Tongue, and Chris Woakes.