The Indian cricket team has arrived in the United Kingdom ahead of their highly anticipated five-match Test series against England, marking the beginning of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Departing from Mumbai on Friday night, the squad landed in England with a refreshed lineup and a new leadership structure. Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have retired from the format. Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain, signalling a generational shift in Indian Test cricket.

The series will be contested for the newly named Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy, honouring two legends of the game. The first Test begins on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, followed by matches at Edgbaston (July 2–6), Lord’s (July 10–14), Old Trafford (July 23–27), and The Oval (August 4–8).

In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on social media, debutant Sai Sudharsan expressed his excitement. “It’s good to be a part of the Indian cricket team, especially in a Test series. Welcome to the UK,” he said.

Sudharsan, who had an impressive IPL season with the Gujarat Titans, is among the new faces in the red-ball squad. In a recent interview, he emphasised his team-first mentality, stating that “winning means more than stats and milestones.”

The atmosphere upon arrival was upbeat. Players were seen in good spirits as they interacted with fans and media. A light-hearted moment saw Jasprit Bumrah jokingly tease a teammate for wearing sunglasses at night — a glimpse of the camaraderie that has come to define the squad.

This tour is being closely watched as it represents a significant transitional phase for Indian cricket. With a blend of experience and youth, Team India is looking to begin their WTC campaign on a strong note and mount a serious challenge on English soil.Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a riveting series between two of the sport’s premier Test sides. (UNI)