India is all set to take on England in the much-anticipated five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley. With Shubman Gill leading the side, expectations are high as the team aims to make a mark in challenging English conditions. The series promises a thrilling battle between two formidable sides, especially with India aiming to win a red-ball series in England after over a decade.

Bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur reflected fondly on the previous tour of England in 2021-22, calling it one of the most memorable series of his career. "I think the '21 series where we won a couple of games. The first one also we could've won, but unfortunately, it rained on the last day, and we couldn't chase down the total. But then, we won at Lord's, then we won at The Oval, and then we came back for the fifth Test next year. The series was level, but that was one of the fondest memories for me, one of the best Test series that I've been part of," Shardul shared while speaking to the BCCI’s social media team.

Looking ahead, Shardul expressed his eagerness to embrace the unique demands of playing in England. “I think it's very exciting to play in this part of the world where you face different challenges. The first one, of course, is weather. Sometimes it's cloudy, sometimes it's bright and sunny, and as a player, you need to make adjustments to your game whether you are batting or bowling," he added.

‘A Series Win Would Be Massive for the Nation’: Shardul

Shardul also highlighted the fresh energy in the Indian Test squad, praising the presence of emerging talents and the opportunity to surprise England. "It's good to have that fresh energy in the team." Few youngsters are coming up, and new talents are always exciting. Now that the England team is also playing a different kind of cricket, you would like to surprise them also that we are here to put on a show," he said.

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He underlined how significant a series win would be for the team and the nation. “And it's always great to win an away series. If we could achieve this feat, it would be massive for the entire nation,” Shardul concluded. This will be his second tour to England, having been part of the 2021-22 series that ended in a 2-2 draw, with the first Test drawn and England winning the fifth by seven wickets.