The Indian cricket team will make their final preparations for the upcoming five-match Test series against England through an Intra-Squad Warm-up game against Bharat A starting from June 13, 2025. The four -day practice match, which will be played behind closed doors at the request of head coach Gautam Gambhir, will not be available for live streaming as the team aims to keep its strategic plans private from the opposition. Warm-up stability will have a 360 over match simulation, which will provide important preparation time for both bowlers and batsmen. The approach shows the preparation strategy of the team implemented before the Seema Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. The practice match has special significance as it offers Indian players an opportunity to transition from T20 cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The expanded session will help players to adapt to English conditions before the opener of the series in Headingly. Jasprit Bumrah will return to the return of cricket after a gap of six months during the warm-up game. Paes Spearhead, who had to leave the fifth test in Australia due to injury, has only participated in IPL matches, since recovering from back stress fractures.
The team management plans to assess Bumrah’s fitness and form by bowling several mantras during the practice match. This assessment will be important in determining their readiness for the demand testing chain. The selection in front of the warm-up game team will also help in solving dilemmas. A major decision rotates to choose a seam bowling partner for Bumrah and Mohammad Sirj, with Akash Deep and Prasad Krishna claimants. Quiz: Who is that IPL player? Another strategic option is waiting for the team management regarding the spin department. The selection between Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav as primary spinners offers different strategic benefits. Jadeja provides additional batting depth with his spinning capabilities, while Kuldeep could serve as an attacking option against England’s aggressive batting approach. The practice match is an important milestone as it represents Shubman Gill’s first assignment as the official captain of the Indian testing team. The closed door session will allow the new captain to work with his team without external pressure.
The decision to operate a warm-up match away from the public view reflects the team’s attention on preparation rather than promoting. This approach allows players to focus on acclimatization and strategy development without disclosing their strategic plans. The test series against England starting on June 20 will be the first major challenge for the Indian team led by Gill. The warm-up match serves as the last opportunity for the team to address various strategic and selection questions before the commencement of the series. The broad nature of the practice match, with its comprehensive allocation, displays the team’s commitment to complete preparation. This format ensures that all squad members get enough time to accommodate test cricket and English conditions. The practice match represents an important phase in India’s preparation strategy, which combines the need for match practice with strategic discretion. The result of these four days can greatly impress the team’s approach and composition for the upcoming testing series against England.
