India's preparations for the upcoming Test series against England have been dealt a blow as newly-appointed Test captain Shubman Gill is likely to miss the second India A match against England Lions, scheduled to begin on June 6 in Northampton. This decision is reportedly aimed at ensuring Gill is fresh and well-prepared for the grueling five-match Test series, which commences on June 20 in Leeds.

Gill, along with Sai Sudharsan, was initially slated to join the India A squad for the second match against the England Lions. The move was intended to provide them with an opportunity to acclimatize to the English conditions ahead of the Test series. However, with Gill leading the Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2025, the team's progress to the playoffs has altered these plans.

The Gujarat Titans are set to face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on May 30. Should they win, they would then compete in Qualifier 2 on June 1 against the winner of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru versus Punjab Kings match. The IPL 2025 final is scheduled for June 3. This leaves a very narrow window for Gill to participate in the India A match starting just three days later.

Sources indicate that head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management have decided to give Gill rest, considering the demanding nature of the IPL season. The BCCI is keen to avoid rushing him into another match immediately after the IPL final, prioritizing his rest and recovery to prevent burnout ahead of the crucial Test series.

Despite missing the India A game, Gill will still have an opportunity to prepare for the Test series. He is expected to participate in an intra-squad warm-up match starting on June 13. This will provide him with valuable time in the middle and allow him to fine-tune his skills before the first Test.

This decision reflects the Indian team management's focus on managing player workload and ensuring key players are in optimal condition for important international assignments. The Test series against England is a significant one, and India will be aiming to put their best foot forward.

The rest of the India A squad members, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Shardul Thakur, have already reached England to begin their preparations. The India A team will play two four-day matches against England Lions, followed by an intra-squad match against the main Indian Test team on June 16.

With Shubman Gill set to miss the warm-up match, the focus will be on other players to make the most of the opportunity and stake their claim for a place in the Test side. The team management will closely monitor the performances of all players in the A team matches and the intra-squad game to finalize their playing XI for the first Test.