As India embarks on a fresh World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for 2025–27, a new chapter in its red-ball journey begins with a high-profile five-Test series against England. With legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin retiring from the longest format, the team has officially moved into a new era.

At the forefront of this transition are newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and Test captain Shubman Gill, who addressed the squad during their preparatory camp at Beckenham. India’s training sessions kicked off in full swing under the watchful eyes of Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel.

In an internal team meeting, both coaches laid down a clear roadmap for the tour. Their message was loud and clear: adaptability, grit, and purpose would be the pillars of success in the challenging English conditions. The meeting had a mix of strategy and spirit, with Gambhir focusing on the emotional weight of representing India in Tests.

“All I want to say is this – we can look at this as a team missing three giants, or we can see it as an opportunity to script something memorable. There’s hunger, passion, and commitment in this group. Let’s get out of our comfort zones, fight every session, and make this tour count,” Gautam Gambhir said in a motivational talk shared by BCCI.

Players from the India A squad – Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Karun Nair – seamlessly joined the senior camp following their recent outings against the England Lions. On the field, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna impressed in the nets, while Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill fine-tuned their individual game plans.

Shubman Gill, leading India in a Test series for the first time, also took the opportunity to fire up his troops. “Let’s not just survive—let’s thrive. Prepare like it’s match day. Test your limits, find your method under pressure, and make every ball in training count,” he urged.

With the opening Test set to begin at Headingley on June 20, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford, India’s new-look side has a golden chance to redefine its legacy in English conditions under fresh leadership and renewed intent.