India’s tour of England is off to a focused start, with the squad led by Shubman Gill now training in the UK ahead of a crucial five-match Test series beginning June 20. The team has set up its base at Beckenham County Ground, where their preparations have included not just regular net sessions but also matches designed to simulate real Test match conditions.
Several members of the main squad have already been active through the India A setup, playing two first-class games against England Lions. A third game, an intra-squad clash, is scheduled to begin on Friday at the same venue, giving players additional match time before the official series kicks off.
To ensure training reflects the challenges of the English pitches, the Indian team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir personally requested curator Josh Marden to prepare wickets that are similar to what the team will face over the course of the series. Josh Marden shared that Gautam Gambhir and his team were clear about wanting more than just batting practice. They asked for conditions that offer balance, neither too flat nor overly bowler-friendly, to help the players prepare in a meaningful way.
Responding to this request, the grounds team made specific changes to the practice surfaces, such as tweaking grass coverage, adjusting net dimensions and extending the pitch lengths slightly to better mirror Test match scenarios. The goal was to create match-like settings where both batsmen and bowlers can be tested and Josh Marden noted that the coaching staff has given very positive feedback since these changes were made.
These adjustments are particularly important in England, where conditions often favour seam and swing, putting India’s pace bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah, in the spotlight. Jasprit Bumrah, however, will be playing only three of the five matches, as the team manages his workload carefully through the tour.
Although players like Jasprit Bumrah haven’t directly interacted with the ground staff, their feedback has reached the curators through the coaching team. According to Josh Marden, the emphasis is clearly on meaningful practice, with bowlers seeking overs that matter and conditions that reward skill. The Indian team is looking for practice surfaces that encourage results, helping good bowling, punishing errors, just like the ones they will encounter in the actual series.
This England tour also marks the beginning of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle for India. With a new captain at the helm and a fresh coaching approach under Gautam Gambhir, the team is aiming to begin the campaign with a strong and well-prepared performance.
