IND vs ENG: 'We're without three of our most experienced players' - Gautam Gambhir on absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir welcomed newly installed captain Shubman Gill, players who earned their maiden call-ups - Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep Singh - and welcomed Karun Nair to the fold during a nets session video released by the BCCI. The Indian cricket team are in Beckenham, London ahead of the Test series against England, starting June 20.

In the video, Gambhir shared with the group how they can make the five-match series "memorable" despite the absence of stalwarts of the game - Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin. All three retired in the last six months which has left a big gap in terms of experience for the squad.

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Yet, Gambhir and Gill stressed they can overcome that bridge during the series.



"There are two ways of looking at this tour. One is, we are without three of our most experienced players. Or we have got this phenomenal opportunity to do something special for the country," said Gambhir.


"When I look around, I think the hunger, the passion and the commitment to do something special. I think if we make sacrifices, if we come out of our comfort zone, if we start fighting, not every day, but every session, every hour and every ball, I think we can have a memorable tour. So make sure we start that from today only. I think start enjoying playing for the country because there is no bigger honour," said the Indian coach.

Gill, who replaces Rohit as the skipper, urged the players to "find out their game" and play "every ball with purpose".


"Let's make each and every net session meaningful and let us prepare like that and let us put ourselves under a little bit of pressure when we are going out there. It is not about going out there and surviving. Let is try to find out our game, how we are going to play when we will be put under pressure, whether it be bowlers or batters. And let us make the practise match and each and every net session very meaningful and let us play every ball with purpose," he stated.

India's tour of England will be held from June to August 2025, with matches scheduled at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.

India's Test squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.