As India prepares for the five-Test series against England, the team will participate in a single warm-up match, following the preparation strategy used during the Australia tour. The build-up will involve a four-day intra-squad encounter instead of a match simulation. The match, which will take place in Beckenham, Kent, will commence on Friday, with the senior team playing India A.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has prioritized keeping the proceedings confidential, similar to the approach used in Perth last November. The scheduled warm-up game was replaced with simulation drills, and the BCCI asked the WACA to restrict access to training and practice sessions. Gambhir is believed to have pushed for a similar setup this time, with the intra-squad game likely to be played behind closed doors.
This measure aims to prevent the opposition from gaining any tactical insights, mirroring a practice often employed by European football clubs.
The 360-over match is expected to be vital for practice, especially in evaluating the bowling unit and finalizing the batting order, particularly after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Jasprit Bumrah, the left-arm seamer, will be watched closely, as he returns to first-class cricket after six months. The warm-up game offers him an opportunity to bowl long spells and test his fitness before the series.