Indian Cricket Team's last and only practice match before the five-match Test series against England starts on Friday, June 13 at Beckenham. The four-day intra-squad game will see Shubman Gill-led India taking on Abhimanyu Easwaran-led India A, with plenty to look forward to. The match will be crucial for India's new Test skipper Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, who will get their only practice before the Test series against England. For the match, head coach Gautam Gambhir wants secrecy, just like he had demanded before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under in 2024-25.
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According to a report in PTI, the former India opener has demanded "closed-door sessions to prevent England from getting any clues or ideas on the tactical aspect, emulating a long-standing practice among European football clubs."
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Four-day practice game a last chance for Shubman Gill-led India to iron out chinks
Bowling coach Morne Morkel said on Wednesday, June 11 that bowlers building stamina to bowl 90 overs a day is very different from normal training sessions. Also, batters get a second chance in a four-day practice game if they don't make a significant contribution in the first innings. With 360 overs available in four days, bowlers will get sufficient time to get used to the rigors of Test cricket. There are a few aspects to look forward to in the game. Nitish Kumar vs Shardul Thakur selection.
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Ravindra Jadeja vs Kuldeep Yadav spin conundrum, and Akash Deep vs Prasidh Krishna - third pacer's spot. All eyes will also be on Jasprit Bumrah and how his body copes in bowling long spells after he broke his back during the fifth Test against Australia Down Under.
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