The India tour of England is just around the corner, and the atmosphere is electric as the Men in Blue embark on this challenging assignment. The series, scheduled from June to August 2025, will be held at iconic venues like Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester. This tour marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket, with Shubman Gill leading the team as captain and Gautam Gambhir taking on the role of head coach after the retirements of veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket.
Adding to the anticipation, Sony Sports Network is set to broadcast a docuseries titled "Bharat Tum Chale Chalo - Kahani 2021-22 Ki," which revisits India's memorable 2021-22 Test campaign in England. During that series, India, under Virat Kohli's captaincy, led 2-1 before the final Test was postponed due to COVID-19. India eventually lost the final Test in July 2022, which was led by Jasprit Bumrah, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Reflecting on that 2021-22 series, former India coach Ravi Shastri emphasized the team's resilience and determination. "That team had guts, fire, and the belief that they could conquer anything, anywhere," Shastri stated, recalling the victories in Australia and England. He highlighted the team's aggressive mindset, recalling Virat Kohli's words before the Lord's Test: "For 60 overs, they should feel hell out there." India lived up to their captain's words, dismissing England for just 120 to win the Test.
As the new-look Indian team prepares for the upcoming series, they face several challenges. The absence of Kohli and Sharma leaves a significant void in the batting lineup, placing greater responsibility on the younger players. England's deputy skipper, Ollie Pope, acknowledged Kohli's absence, stating that India will miss his aura. However, he also recognized the depth and talent in the Indian squad, particularly praising Shubman Gill's captaincy.
Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach adds another layer of intrigue to the series. However, in a recent turn of events, Gambhir had to return to India due to a family emergency, as his mother suffered a heart attack. He is expected to rejoin the team on June 17, just days before the first Test. In his absence, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate will take charge, along with Sitanshu Kotak (batting coach) and Morne Morkel (bowling coach).
Despite the challenges, the Indian team is determined to make a strong start to their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The squad includes a mix of experienced players like Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, along with promising youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan and Akash Deep.
The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two strong teams. England, playing at home, will be eager to assert their dominance, while India will be keen to prove their mettle under a new captain and coach. The stage is set for an exciting chapter in the storied rivalry between India and England.
