Revealed: Gambhir's Football Trick Behind Keeping India's Intra-Squad Game Private
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A new report has revealed a footballing reason why India's intra-squad game before the England Tests is being played behind closed doors.
The Indian team's decision to keep the intra-squad practice game ahead of the five-Test series against England a private affair, played behind closed doors, was reportedly inspired by European football clubs. The unofficial four-day match begins on Friday (June 13) — it won't be broadcast, unlike the India 'A' games against England Lions recently, and would not have First-Class status. It's unlikely any scorecard will be made public.
According to news agency PTI, the Gautam Gambhir-led team management wants to prevent England from' getting any ideas on the tactical front' by being able to watch the game. The same practice was followed in Australia before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 3-1. This is the new Shubman Gill-led set-up's only match simulation before the Test series begins on June 20 at Headingley.
Because of the delay in the conclusion of IPL 2025, for several players who didn't play the India 'A' games, this is the only intense red-ball practice they get. It'll allow Gambhir and Co. to test various key aspects, like the batting order after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirements, bowling combinations and so on.
Players from the India 'A' side, who are not part of the Test team, have stayed back and are also likely to be involved. They'll have the opportunity to make a case for a Test debut in case of injuries.
Gambhir, under pressure after having lost his last two Test series as the coach, tried to pump the team up.
'There are two ways of looking at this tour. One is we are without our three most experienced players or we got this phenomenal opportunity to do something special for the country," he told BCCI.tv, referring to the recent retirements of legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli.
'When I look around in this group, I think I see the hunger, the passion and the commitment to do something special. If we make sacrifices, if we come out of our comfort zone, if we start fighting not every day but every session, every hour and every ball, I think we can have a memorable tour," he added.
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