Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to India due to personal reasons, but the team is continuing its preparation for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which starts on June 20. As part of the final phase of preparation, a four-day practice match began on Friday in Beckenham. This match is between India and India A.
🚨BCCI banned the live telecast of India vs India A match 🚨
– Closed Intra squad game. No vision access to Media/Broadcast. On the final day of the squad game, a player/member of support staff will be made available to the media,"A BCCI official said in a statement. pic.twitter.com/7FLtCaZESa---Advertisement---— Abhishek Bharati (@TECxBEN) June 13, 2025
Captains and Key Players
Shubman Gill is leading the Indian team, while Abhimanyu Easwaran is captaining the India ‘A’ side. The match is especially important for players who were not part of the India ‘A’ squad during the recent unofficial Tests against England Lions.
Closed-Door Match: No Public or Media Access
Just like during India’s last tour of Australia, coach Gautam Gambhir has decided to keep this match closed to the public. This means no fans can watch the game, and there will be no live broadcast or media coverage.
Why Was This Decision Taken?
According to sources, Gambhir made this decision to prevent England from observing or learning India’s strategies. This kind of private session is common in European football, where team tactics are closely guarded.
Is This Useful in Cricket?
Some people question whether such secrecy is really needed in cricket. Football is a short, 90-minute game that relies heavily on strategy. But cricket is a longer, five-day match, where most tactics are visible on the field anyway.
However, bowling coach Morne Morkel explained that building stamina for bowling long spells and fielding for full days requires a different kind of practice than regular net sessions.
Special Rules for the Match
This match doesn’t have official first-class status, but it’s still a key part of preparation. If a batsman gets out cheaply, he might get another chance to bat. In total, 360 overs will be bowled across the four days, giving bowlers enough time to work on their rhythm and fitness.
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