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India.com
10 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
India vs England Test Series: Team India Reaches Leeds Ahead Of Headingley Opener Under Shubman Gill
Team India has officially touched down in Leeds, setting the stage for a blockbuster five-match Test series against England beginning June 20 at Headingley. The arrival marks not just a logistical milestone but a symbolic one, as the Indian Test team embarks on a bold new journey under the stewardship of Shubman Gill, following the retirement of modern-day greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. by @AnkanKar , @BCCI — vipul kashyap (@kashyapvipul) June 17, 2025 Also Read: Happy Birthday Moeen Ali: Meet Wife Firoza Hossain, Bangladeshi-Born Fashion Designer Behind England Star's Success Gill, who has now assumed full-time Test captaincy, was spotted alongside KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jasprit Bumrah at the Leeds train station after the squad made the journey from Beckenham — where they wrapped up their only warm-up match, an intra-squad face-off against India A. Fresh Faces, New Hopes: Harshit Rana Joins Senior Squad One of the key developments ahead of the Headingley Test is the inclusion of promising pacer Harshit Rana, who recently impressed with the India A side during their tour of England. The 22-year-old fast bowler stayed back in the UK post-tour and has now linked up with the senior squad. While the BCCI hasn't clarified whether his call-up is injury-driven or strategic, Rana's presence adds vital depth to a bowling arsenal already powered by Bumrah, Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. Rana's addition reinforces India's intent to unleash a fierce pace attack in seamer-friendly English conditions, an approach that paid dividends during their 2021 tour. Generation Shift: Life After Kohli and Rohit The upcoming series is as much about results as it is about transition. With the departures of Rohit and Kohli, Team India finds itself at a crossroads — blending youth with experience in search of sustained red-ball success. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Nitish Kumar Reddy headline a new generation of batters. Meanwhile, experienced names like KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant — who is also the vice-captain — are expected to play mentoring roles both on and off the field. Eyes on the Prize: Gambhir to Rejoin Squad Ahead of Test In another encouraging development, head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to rejoin the Indian squad in Leeds before the first Test. The former opener had flown back to India on June 11 due to a medical emergency involving his mother, who suffered a heart attack. His return is a morale booster for a squad navigating multiple transitions in leadership and team dynamics. Gambhir's tactical acumen and no-nonsense approach are expected to be pivotal, especially as India aims to make a statement in one of the most challenging away tours in Test cricket. Final Preparations: Intra-Squad Match Offers Crucial Match Time The only warm-up fixture — an intra-squad game between India and India A — proved invaluable for the coaching staff to assess player readiness and combinations. Conditions at Beckenham mirrored what India is likely to encounter in Leeds, giving batters and bowlers an early taste of seam movement and swing-friendly weather. With the Headingley pitch known to offer pace and bounce, all eyes will be on how India balances their playing XI — particularly in choosing between spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar, and additional seamers. Upcoming Fixtures: India vs England 2025 Test Series 1st Test: June 20 – Headingley, Leeds 2nd Test: July 2 – Edgbaston, Birmingham Remaining fixtures and venues to follow. Full India Squad for England Tour 2025 Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav
India.com
12 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Virat Kohlis Fighting Spirit Will Be Missed On India Vs England Test Series, Says Ben Stokes
As India gears up for a high-voltage five-Test series against England starting June 20, the spotlight has shifted dramatically with the absence of two modern greats — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With both legends having announced their retirement from Test cricket last month, the baton of leadership has passed to a new generation. Shubman Gill, the stylish opener, is set to captain India in what marks a defining chapter for Indian cricket. Also Read: Happy Birthday Moeen Ali: Meet Wife Firoza Hossain, Bangladeshi-Born Fashion Designer Behind England Star's Success The change in guard hasn't gone unnoticed. England's skipper Ben Stokes, speaking in a video released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), lauded Kohli's immense contribution and warned of the void his departure creates. 'What India will miss is his fighting spirit, his competitiveness, and his burning desire to win,' Stokes said. 'He made No.18 his own — it'll be strange not to see it on an Indian shirt anymore.' Stokes Pays Tribute to Kohli's Legacy: 'A Class Player' Ben Stokes, who shares a spirited on-field rivalry with Virat Kohli, recalled texting the Indian maestro upon hearing the retirement news. 'It's a shame not to play against him again. We always pushed each other — it was a battle every time,' Stokes added. That mutual respect reflects the stature Kohli earned over 13 years in red-ball cricket. Kohli's Test numbers speak volumes: 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, Avg: 46.85 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries Calendar year averages above 75 in 2016 and 2017 Few cricketers dominated an era quite like Kohli between 2016 and 2019, a period where his consistency and aggression redefined Indian Test cricket, especially overseas. India's Strength in Depth: Stokes Warns Against Complacency Despite the absence of Kohli and Rohit, Stokes remains wary of the Indian squad. 'One thing about India — their battery of batters is just incredible. The IPL has churned out so much talent, it's unbelievable,' he remarked, hinting at India's seemingly endless bench strength. From Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh, a new breed of fearless cricketers is ready to carry the legacy forward. Stokes acknowledged that while India may be transitioning, they remain a serious threat. 'You can never take any Indian team lightly. Our focus will be to put them under pressure early and adapt as the game progresses. It's always a tough summer when India visits,' Stokes added. The Iconic Cover Drive and a Legacy of Competitiveness Among the many things Stokes admired about Kohli, one stands out — his cover drive. 'Just wow… probably the hardest-hit cover drive I've seen. It defined his batting,' he said, offering a personal glimpse into what it's like to face the Indian legend. Beyond numbers, Kohli's intensity, expressive celebrations, and unrelenting desire to win made him the heartbeat of the Indian team. His departure, along with Rohit's, signals a significant generational shift. England vs India Test Series: What Lies Ahead With Stokes back from a hamstring surgery, England will be at full strength. The upcoming series promises to be a fierce contest between experience and youth, legacy and potential. While India embarks on a fresh journey under Shubman Gill, England will be determined to exploit the transitional phase. As cricket fans await the series opener at Lord's, one thing is certain: while Virat Kohli won't be on the field, his legacy will loom large. And for players like Stokes, the absence of No.18 is more than symbolic — it's the end of a compelling chapter in cricket history.
India.com
12 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Harshit Rana Gets India Recall For 1st Test vs England At Headingley – BCCI Bolsters Pace Battery Amid Injury Concerns
In a strategic late addition, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has roped in Harshit Rana for the opening Test of the five-match India vs England Test series, starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. With uncertainty looming over the fitness of some pacers, Rana's inclusion adds much-needed depth to a pace unit that already boasts the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. Also Read: Happy Birthday Moeen Ali: Meet Wife Firoza Hossain, Bangladeshi-Born Fashion Designer Behind England Star's Success Rana, 23, has been in impressive form. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer grabbed 15 wickets in 13 matches during IPL 2025, consistently bowling with venom and control. His call-up, though limited to just the first Test, indicates BCCI's cautious approach ahead of a demanding red-ball series in English conditions. This is not Rana's first brush with the Test arena. He made his debut earlier this year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he bagged four wickets in his maiden appearance. Despite a promising start, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel opted for other options initially, sidelining him in favour of five specialist pacers and two seam-bowling all-rounders. Injury Woes Prompt Rana's Inclusion While no official names have been disclosed, injury niggles to some pacers have necessitated the last-minute cover. The likeliest candidate under the scanner is Akash Deep, who missed both unofficial four-day games against the England Lions and had limited IPL appearances post-injury. Although he featured in the India vs India A intra-squad match, question marks persist over his full fitness. Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, has confirmed his availability and fitness for the opener. The pace spearhead, who recently turned down the Test captaincy offer from the BCCI, is expected to lead the bowling attack alongside Siraj. India's Fast-Bowling Riches and Selection Dilemma India's squad for the 1st Test in Leeds now boasts a rich pool of pacers: Jasprit Bumrah Mohammed Siraj Prasidh Krishna Akash Deep Arshdeep Singh Harshit Rana (added as cover) Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy as pace-bowling all-rounders This plethora of options creates a selection conundrum for the team management, especially considering English conditions which often favour pace. Rana's solid run in IPL 2025 and his readiness after playing both the unofficial Tests and intra-squad match may tilt the scales in his favour if one of the frontline seamers fails to recover. India vs England: Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Beckons The high-voltage series, now rebranded as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, kicks off in Leeds before moving to Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford, and the Oval through July. With Shubman Gill leading a young Indian side and Rishabh Pant as his deputy, the series offers a fresh narrative in India's evolving Test journey. Also notable is the expected return of head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had flown home due to a family emergency. As per sources, Gambhir has rejoined the squad in the UK and is expected to oversee final preparations ahead of the opener.
