'Captain' Shubman Gill gets off to a flier in England, shines in intra-squad match

Shubman Gill made a strong start to the England tour as India’s Test captain by scoring a solid half-century on Day 1 of the team’s intra-squad match against India A at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham on Friday, June 13.

While all eyes are on the ongoing ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 (WTC Final 2025) between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s, the India National Cricket Team is quietly getting ready for their own big challenge, and that is the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

Strong start for Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Shardul Thakur in India’s warm-up game ahead of England Tests

To get match-ready for the five-match Test series, the India National Cricket Team is currently playing a four-day warm-up match against India A in Beckenham.

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However, this game is not counted as a first-class game, but is crucial for the players to get into the rhythm of red-ball cricket. There have been some solid performances on Day 1 of the four-day warm-up match at the Kent County Cricket Ground.

India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, and experienced batter KL Rahul both scored half-centuries, giving the team a strong start. On the other hand, Shardul Thakur, who is fighting with Nitish Kumar Reddy for a spot in India’s XI, made an impact with the ball in the game.

BCCI shares details from Day 1 of the Intra-squad game

This intra-squad game is India’s final practice opportunity before the much-anticipated Test series in England. The Indian team management has kept this match behind closed doors with no media or broadcasters allowed at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham.

As a result, the only updates came late at night through the BCCI’s official social media handles, after play had ended for the day. The BCCI shared a series of pictures on the social media platform X from Day 1 of the intra-squad match between India and India A.

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The BCCI wrote in the caption on X, “Beckenham. A solid Opening Day in the intra-squad game! Half-centuries for KL Rahul & Captain Shubman Gill. Shardul Thakur amongst the wickets.”

📍 Beckenham

A solid Opening Day in the Intra-Squad game!

Half-centuries for KL Rahul & Captain Shubman Gill 👌 👌

Shardul Thakur amongst the wickets 👍 👍 pic.twitter.com/7lfEFoL4KE

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 13, 2025

GLIMPSE OF INDIA VS INDIA A

KL Rahul batting and Bumrah and Kuldeep fielding pic.twitter.com/bznF9N9hY5

— Prakash (@definitelynot05) June 13, 2025

Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Shardul Thakur's performances in England ahead of the Test series

Well, Gill hasn’t done well in England so far, with an average of just 14.66 and only 88 runs in six innings from three matches, with his highest score being 28. So, this fifty will give the young Indian captain a lot of confidence going into the Test series, starting on June 20 in Leeds.

On the other hand, KL Rahul has been in top form since arriving in England over a week ago. After scoring 116 and 51 for India A against the England Lions in the second unofficial Test, Rahul continued his good run by hitting a half-century in the warm-up match against India A at Beckenham.

Additionally, Shardul Thakur was also impressive in the warm-up match as he picked up four wickets. Earlier, in the unofficial Tests against the England Lions, he scored 27, 19, and 34, as well as took two wickets. His all-around efforts are strengthening his position in India’s XI.

Notably, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was not present at the practice match, as he had to return to India after his mother suffered a heart attack.

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