India's new Test captain Shubman Gill showcased his leadership skills on Day 1 of the intrasquad match against India A at Kent, with KL Rahul and Shardul Thakur also making significant contributions ahead of the Test series against England.

While the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s is underway, the Indian cricket team is gearing up for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

Team India is currently involved in an intrasquad game against India A at the Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham. The first day saw Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scoring valuable runs in preparation for the Test series.

Why India vs India A match is not being broadcast?

The India vs India A match is not being broadcast due to the team management's decision for closed-door practice. Journalists have been denied permission, and the scorecard for the match is also unavailable. A player or support staff member is expected to address the media at the end of the practice match on Monday for updates.

India vs India A match: Day 1 details

On Day 1 of the India vs India A match, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill scored half-centuries, with all-rounder Shardul Thakur making an impact with the ball. The Indian cricket board shared these updates on social media late on Friday night.

• Beckenham
• A solid Opening Day in the Intra-Squad game!
• Half-centuries for KL Rahul & Captain Shubman Gill
• Shardul Thakur amongst the wickets

Meanwhile, Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir was absent from the practice game as he had to return to India following his mother's heart attack. His return to England will depend on his mother's recovery. The team also paid tribute to the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash by wearing black armbands and observing a minute's silence.