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The Shubman Gill-led Indian cricket team has landed in England for the much-anticipated five-match Test series, beginning June 20. The players arrived in London on Saturday, visibly upbeat and ready to take on the challenge in swinging English conditions. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of the squad’s arrival, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, and others flashing smiles as they geared up for the tour.
This marks a new chapter for Indian Test cricket, as Gill steps into leadership following the red-ball retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With this series, India also begins its campaign in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
No fans or media greet Team India in London
In a surprising scene, there were no Indian fans or media contingents present to welcome the team at the airport, as reported by journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel. The lack of reception was unexpected, especially considering India’s passionate overseas fanbase and the magnitude of the upcoming series.
The subdued arrival stood in contrast to the hype often associated with Indian cricket abroad. Nevertheless, it provided a quiet and focused environment for the players to settle in ahead of their preparatory matches.
0 fans at the Airport for Indian Team
Aura of captain Gill. pic.twitter.com/uSMSCZmuvc— jaiswalhype (@jaiswalhype19) June 7, 2025
Big expectations from Shubman Gill’s young brigade
As India enters a transitional phase, all eyes are on Gill and how he handles the burden of captaincy in foreign conditions. Speaking at the pre-departure press conference, Gill acknowledged the challenge of filling the void left by experienced leaders like Rohit and Kohli but emphasized that the squad is well-prepared and balanced.
“There’s always pressure when you play for India, but we’re not inexperienced. This is a strong unit with the potential to win overseas,” Gill said.
With a solid bowling attack led by Bumrah and promising batting talent in the ranks, India is aiming to win a Test series in England for the first time since 2007. The new-look squad carries with it the hope of millions of fans eager to see Indian Test cricket succeed in the post-Kohli-Rohit era.
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