India’s preparation for the upcoming five-Test series against England involves a single warm-up match, similar to the approach used during the Australia tour. However, a four-day intra-squad game will be held instead of a match simulation. The match, which will be played in Beckenham, Kent, will begin on Friday, with the senior team playing against India A.
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, has been firm on keeping the proceedings private, much like the Perth camp last November. The original warm-up game was replaced with simulation drills, and the BCCI asked the WACA to limit access to training and practice sessions. Gambhir is reportedly insisting on a similar approach this time, with the intra-squad game likely to be closed to the public.
This is done ‘to prevent the opposition from getting any ideas on the tactical front,’ a strategy seen in European football.
The 360-over match is expected to be valuable practice, especially in assessing the bowling unit and determining the batting order, particularly after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
All eyes will be on Jasprit Bumrah, the left-arm seamer, as he plays first-class cricket for the first time in six months. The warm-up game will give him a chance to bowl long spells and test his fitness before the series.