India vs India A Updates, Intra‑Squad Match Day 1
Match Setup:
Team India is playing a four-day closed-door intra-squad practice match against India A at Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham (June 13–16), as the only warm-up before the five-Test series vs England beginning June 20
Shubman Gill is captaining the senior side—his first red-ball leadership role in England.
Rishabh Pant is vice-captain, under scrutiny to regain form after a subdued IPL.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is rumored to lead India A, though unconfirmed.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir flew back to India due to his mother’s illness; Ryan ten Doeschate, along with Morne Morkel and Kotak, took charge.
Bowling & Selection Outlook:
The match serves as a testing ground for bowlers—Bumrah, Siraj, Kuldeep, Prasidh, Arshdeep, Akash Deep, Nitish Reddy, and Sundar—to stake their claim for the first Test XI.
Tactical Secrecy:
The BCCI has barred media and broadcasters to keep conditions and tactics hidden, a strategy likened to European football’s closed-door approach.
Tribute & Team Sentiment:
Players and staff wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence in memory of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims.
Bowling coach Morkel admitted initial nerves over limited red-ball prep but praised the team's energy and adaptation.