India A- 409/3 (90 Overs)

When an entire nation experienced peak excitement for a Mumbai Indians vs. Gujarat Titans Eliminator match of IPL 2025, Karun Nair was busy doing what he can do best—playing a three-digit innings against England Lions for India A team at The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury.

India is set to make a visit to England for a 5-match Test series after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League season under Subhman Gill's leadership. Before that, it is the time for some preparations. 

Dominance by England Lions at the beginning of Day 1

India A Skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran walked back to the hut after a leg before the wicket cheaply only for an individual 8 runs. His opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, scored a promising 24 and departed when India A struggled with 51 after losing the opening pair. Eddie Jack and Josh Hull positioned England Lion in the driving seat before Karun Nair and Sarfaraz Khan stitched a 181-run partnership, facing 235 balls. 

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opted to drop Khan from the main squad of team India for the upcoming Test series. The batter, who recently lost weight to gain more fitness and scored tons of runs in the domestic circuit, went out for India A to make a 92-run innings, missing a century only by 8 runs.

But Nair, so far, showed no signs of taking a halt. The middle-order batter, who has a triple Test century in his bag, remained unbeaten for 186 after day 1 of the unofficial Test. The momentum gained by England Lions at the start of the match gradually lost their grip when Sarfaraz and Nair rotated strikes without any major bump.

At the end of the day, India A at the commanding position

After the departure of Sarfaraz, Karun Nair paired up with Dhruv Jurel for another long-lasting partnership, which will continue on Day 2. After the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, BCCI selectors have to fill up the void left by the two icons. India has multiple options as openers, but very few contenders for the number 3 spot, the position mostly remembered for Kohli.

Square for the unofficial Test: 

India A (Playing XI): Abhimanyu Easwaran(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Harsh Dubey, Anshul Kamboj, Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar.

England Lions (Playing XI): Tom Haines, Ben McKinney, Emilio Gay, Max Holden, James Rew(w/c), Dan Mousley, Rehan Ahmed, Zaman Akhter, Eddie Jack, Josh Hull, and Ajeet Dale.

India's eagerly awaited Test series against England will get underway on June 20, 2025. The five-match series will mark the start of the new cycle of the World Test Championship (2025–27) and India's first big-ticket red-ball mission after the retirement of Rohit Sharma. With leadership change hanging over the horizon and a host of young players making a strong case for inclusion, this tour has the potential to redefine the look of India's Test side.

The biggest question ahead of the squad announcement revolves around Virat Kohli. Despite reports of him informing the BCCI about his desire to step away from Test cricket, the selectors are hopeful of convincing him to stay on for at least this crucial away tour. Kohli’s presence—especially in English conditions—would bring not only his unmatched experience but also a much-needed anchor in the middle order.

In the absence of Rohit and Kohli being uncertain, the onus of captaining the side is likely to rest on Shubman Gill's shoulders. Gill has impressed with the bat and has demonstrated leadership maturity, hence becoming the top candidate to don the captain's hat. He is likely to play as an opener with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will provide a promising and young opening partnership. The selectors will try to balance between experienced and domestic players in form to counter the English conditions.

Prioritize Fresh Blood and Bowling Depth

Selectors are said to be eager to invest in the future Test cricketers. Players such as Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy are likely to be offered chances, based on steady domestic performances and their ability to cope with the pressure of international cricket. Wicketkeeping responsibilities may be shared between Rishabh Pant—if fit—and Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in the Australia series earlier this year.

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In the bowling department, India will probably opt for a full-strength pace attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, both seasoned campaigners in England, will be expected to spearhead the attack. They would be ably assisted by Mohammed Siraj and young guns such as Harshit Rana and Akash Deep. In the spin section, seasoned campaigner Ravindra Jadeja will be the point of reference, while Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar will bring in variety and control.

Likely India Squad for England Test Series 2025:

Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli (subject to retirement decision), KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep.

The Indian Cricket team will fully begin the preparation for the Test cricket against England once the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) ends. Cricket fans are curious whether senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara will again be seen on the pitch in the red-ball format or not.

Cheteshwar Pujara has been one of the finest Indian Test cricketers, who has played 103 matches and scored 7,195 runs with the bat at an average of 43.60. Despite giving a strong performance in domestic cricket, it seems that the fine batter is still being overlooked in the red-ball format.

Indian veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara hasn't played any test for India since the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023, where team India lost the final match.

Cheteshwar Pujara Eyes Test Comeback Ahead of England Tour

Speaking about India's next tour against the Englishmen starting next month, the 37-year-old said that he is completely prepared and confident from his side if Team India needs him. Following this, he also said that he would grab the opportunity if it comes his way.

"If the team needs and I get the opportunity, I am prepared from my end. I have been working on my physical fitness, performing well in the country and domestic tournaments. Team India has been quite competitive, but has not won a series in England for around 20 years now, so given an opportunity, I would like to give the best from my end and grab the opportunity if the team needs me. This would be the perfect opportunity to contribute when a win is much needed in England," Pujara said.

The Indian Cricket team will tour England next month after the Indian Premier League 2025. Both teams will play a 5-match Test series starting from 20th June onwards. This test series will also be the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle for India.

"When one has been successful at the highest level and played more than 100 Test matches and are still not a part of the team, you carry on the hard work that has been the reason behind getting the success. Not getting the opportunity is a big disappointment, but I keep myself ready and motivated because of my love for this game. And out of that love, I keep myself close to the game and routine without expecting much, and through any opportunity I get, be it domestic or county," Pujara said.

"When you fail, you fail as a team/unit and not because of a single player. So, missing out on being a part of the team is definitely disappointing for me, as it would have been for anyone else, but I try to take it positively. I try to focus on things that I have in my control. I keep my good performances for Team India in the past (be it in Australia, or England, or my performance in India) as my motivation. I always try to play for the team to win. Whether it is Saurashtra or Sussex, I keep my target as contributing to the team. So, getting a chance to get back into the Indian team will have the same motivation from my end even now," the Gabba hero concluded.

Pujara played for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, where he scored 402 runs in seven matches and 10 innings at an average of 40.20, with a century and fifty and a best score of 234.

After playing his last match for India, he has consistently performed in domestic cricket and in County cricket for Sussex alike. In England soil, Pujara has scored 870 runs in 16 matches at an average of 29.00, with a century and five fifties and a best score of 132*.

The Indian cricket team will begin its England tour with a warm-up match against India A. The match will be played on June 13 at Beckenham, which is a ground under Kent County Cricket Club. There were intentions to telecast the match, but the decision was reversed, and it will now be played behind closed doors.

Practice Matches Before the Test Series

Before the five-match Test series, India A will also tour England and will have two four-day matches against England Lions. The first of these will be between May 30 and June 2 at Canterbury, and the second from June 6 to 9 at Northamptonshire Cricket County Club.

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Indian Cricket Team Travel plans and Preparations

After IPL 2025 is over, Indian players will get two weeks of rest and then go to England during the second week of June. There may be a few players going earlier based on their time table. Beckenham ground, located in southeastern London, is good and being used for practice before the Test series.

Issues related to selection and captaincy

The England series squad is expected to be announced in May, when the IPL will be at its peak. A part of the controversy is whether Rohit Sharma will continue to be the captain, subject mostly to how he performs during the IPL to assist the selectors in making their decision.

England vs India Test Series Schedule

This will be India's only practice game before the first Test at Headingley. As there are no practice games against local county teams, the intra-squad match will become the only preparation for the team.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating a strategy to keep players engaged with red-ball cricket throughout the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This is before India's five-Test series in England in June-July, following the IPL. The scheme might involve players showing up at "occasional red-ball practice sessions" or other bizarre pursuits of some players.

🚨 RED BALL PRACTICE DURING IPL 🚨

- BCCI is working on a strategy to ensure players remain in touch with Test cricket ahead of England tour, it is likely that players might be ask for occasional practice with red ball during IPL. [Cricbuzz] pic.twitter.com/qil9BUrUwG

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 25, 2025

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The BCCI plans to not let the players lose touch with Test cricket during the two-month-long IPL tournament, to be held between March 22 and May 25.
The very specifics of the plan have yet to be known.
However, preliminary discussions of this twin-track approach have already been made by prominent players from the Indian team management and BCCI planners in Dubai.
The BCCI's decision to keep players engaged with red-ball cricket during the IPL season is in response to India's recent Test performance.
The team has not won a single Test series in England recently. The trend features a 4-0 loss in 2011, a 3-1 loss in 2014, and a 4-1 loss in 2018.
India earned their first away Test series draw in England (2-2 in 2021). It was split due to COVID-19, with the last Test won by England a year later.

Jamie Smith‘s debut in Test cricket was a mixed bag of success and disappointment. Despite an impressive 70 off 119 balls, the young cricketer found himself in an awkward situation that left a sour taste. Replacing senior wicketkeeper Ben Foakes for the first Test of the English summer, Smith faced the wrath of the London crowd for inadvertently denying James Anderson a chance to bat in his farewell Test against the West Indies at Lord’s.

Jamie Smith’s debut performance and the crowd’s reaction

Smith’s innings showcased his talent and promise at the highest level, but it concluded with a moment of regret. James Anderson, cheered on by the Lord’s crowd, walked out for what was likely his final Test innings. Unfortunately, the West Indies team did not provide a guard of honour, as they were busy celebrating Mikyle Louis’s sensational run-out of Shoaib Bashir.

In the 10th-wicket partnership, the crowd anticipated Anderson to entertain with his batting. However, Smith, while intending to hit a six, got caught at deep fine-leg, leaving Anderson without facing a delivery. This decision was met with disappointment from the crowd, as they missed the opportunity to see Anderson bat one last time. England finished their innings at 371 runs, with a 250-run lead by the second day’s play.

Anderson’s Unbeaten record and bowling brilliance

Although Anderson did not get to bat, he extended his unique Test record of being unbeaten in an innings 114 times, leading the chart over Courtney Walsh (61) and Muttiah Muralitharan (56).

Despite the missed batting opportunity, Anderson gave the crowd plenty to cheer about with his performance with the ball. The veteran pacer claimed two wickets, taking his all-time record tally to 703 wickets by the end of Day 2. His magical delivery to dismiss Kraigg Brathwaite, rattling his stumps, was a highlight that delighted the fans.

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Jamie Smith’s debut showcased his potential but ended on a bittersweet note due to an unfortunate decision. Meanwhile, James Anderson’s continued excellence with the ball reminded everyone of his invaluable contribution to English cricket, despite missing out on a farewell batting performance.