India’s warm-up match tests bowlers’ readiness

Beckenham

India will begin a four-day intra-squad warm-up match against India A on Friday (today) as preparation for their Test series against England, starting June 20 at Headingley. This match will help players test their form and help the coaches decide the best playing eleven.

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will be closely watched. Jadeja is known for his batting and steady bowling, but Kuldeep’s spin skills might be more effective against England’s aggressive style. Head coach Gautam Gambhir must choose wisely between them.

The match will be played behind closed doors to keep tactics secret, a method already used by the team in Australia earlier this year. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said this match offers real match conditions, unlike regular nets, and helps players build stamina to bowl and field for 90 overs a day.

Bowlers like Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna will also be tested. Coaches want to see whose bowling style suits English conditions better — fuller length deliveries or back-of-length ones.

This match will be important for Jasprit Bumrah, too. He returns to red-ball cricket after six months and needs this game to test his rhythm and fitness following a back injury.

The warm-up, though unofficial, will give players a chance to bat twice and bowl many overs, helping the coaching staff and captain Shubman Gill pick the best team. The big questions: Will Jadeja’s all-round skills or Kuldeep’s variety win him a spot? Will Bumrah be fully ready?

BOX

Gambhir urges to fight hard in England

India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir has called on the team to show grit and step out of their comfort zone during the five-Test series in England, starting June 20 at Leeds. With veterans like Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin retired, Gambhir sees this as a golden chance for young players to create history.