As India prepares to take on England in a blockbuster Test series starting June 20, 2025, the India A team’s warm-up matches in early June have been a critical proving ground. Facing a mix of English county teams and an England Lions XI, the young Indian squad got a taste of swinging Dukes balls, seaming pitches, and the unique challenges of English conditions. With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket, the spotlight is on emerging stars and returning heroes like Rishabh Pant to carry the team forward. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from India A’s warm-up matches and what they signal for the main event.
1. Top Order Resilience in Testing Conditions
The warm-up matches, played in Leeds and Canterbury, threw up classic English conditions: heavy skies, green pitches, and swing-friendly Dukes balls. India A’s top order, led by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran, showed promising resilience. Jaiswal, known for his aggressive strokeplay, adapted well, scoring a gritty 85 against Yorkshire in a rain-affected draw. His ability to leave balls outside off and counter-attack when settled bodes well for India’s chances against England’s pace attack, led by James Anderson.
Easwaran, vying for a Test spot, was equally impressive, notching a patient 112 against the England Lions XI. His disciplined approach against seam movement addressed concerns about India’s opening slots post Rohit. However, KL Rahul, batting at No. 3, struggled, managing just 34 runs across three innings. His tendency to poke at deliveries outside off, noted by former coach Ravi Shastri, needs urgent attention before the Tests begin.
Takeaway: Jaiswal and Easwaran’s form strengthens India’s top order, but Rahul’s inconsistency could be a concern. The team may need to rely on Shubman Gill at No. 4 to stabilize the middle order if Rahul falters.
2. Rishabh Pant’s Explosive Return
Rishabh Pant, back as India’s vice captain and wicketkeeper, was the standout performer in the warm-ups. Fresh off a rollercoaster IPL 2025 season with Lucknow Super Giants, Pant smashed a counter-attacking 92 off 108 balls against Kent, including a trademark reverse scoop that left spectators buzzing. His glove work, despite post-injury concerns, was sharp, with five catches and a diving stumping. Pant’s capability to shift gears, absorbing pressure beforehand and unleashing chaos later, recalled his 2021 Gabba heroics.
However, his occasional recklessness, like getting caught at cover attempting an aerial drive, raised questions about consistency. Former selector Devang Gandhi praised Pant’s “game-changing aura” but urged him to balance aggression with caution on England’s tricky pitches.
Takeaway: Pant’s form is a massive boost, but he’ll need to temper his flair to anchor India’s middle order, especially with Kohli’s absence.
3. Pace Bowling Depth Shines
With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury, India A’s pace attack leaned on Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and newcomer Yash Dayal. Mukesh was the pick, claiming 7 wickets across two matches, including a fiery 4 for 38 against Yorkshire. His ability to swing the ball both ways troubled county batsmen, signaling he could be a handful in the Tests. Krishna, recovering from his injury setbacks, looked rusty but showed glimpses of his pace, picking up 3 wickets against the Lions.
Yash Dayal, the left-arm seamer, was the surprise package, consistently hitting lengths that exploited seam movement. His 5 for 52 against Kent earned praise from bowling coach Morne Morkel, who compared his swing to a young Zaheer Khan. However, the trio struggled with no balls, conceding 12 in one match, which could prove costly against England’s deep batting lineup.
Takeaway: India’s pace attack has depth, but discipline will be key to avoiding extras and maintaining pressure on England’s batsmen.
4. Spin Department Needs Fine-Tuning
With Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja retired, India A’s spin attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, faced scrutiny. Kuldeep was inconsistent, leaking runs at 4.5 an over against the Lions, though he redeemed himself with a crafty 3 for 29 against Yorkshire, using his variations to outfox batsmen. Axar, primarily a containing bowler, struggled on pitches offering little turn, managing just 2 wickets across the warm-ups.
Saurabh Kumar, the left-arm spinner, emerged as a dark horse, picking up a five-wicket haul against Kent with clever changes of pace. His performance could see him leapfrog Axar for a Test spot, especially if pitches assist spin later in the series. The lack of a second frontline spinner, however, exposed India A’s reliance on Kuldeep to deliver in clutch moments.
Takeaway: Kuldeep’s wicket-taking ability is crucial, but India may need Saurabh to step up as a reliable second spinner to counter England’s aggressive middle order.
5. Fielding and Fitness Under the Microscope
India A’s fielding was a mixed bag. While Pant’s keeping was top notch, the outfield saw lapses, with three dropped catches against Yorkshire, including a sitter by Sarfaraz Khan at slip. Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, however, impressed with athletic stops in the covers and a stunning diving catch, respectively. Fielding coach T. Dilip emphasized the need for sharper reflexes, especially in England’s chilly conditions, where hands can stiffen.
Fitness-wise, the squad looked robust, with no major injury concerns reported. Pant’s mobility behind the stumps, despite his 2022 accident, was a positive sign. However, Krishna’s stamina after bowling long spells raised questions, as he appeared fatigued in the second warm-up.
Takeaway: India A’s fielding needs polish to match England’s high standards, while Krishna’s fitness will be monitored closely to ensure he can bowl extended spells.
6. Adapting to English Conditions
The warm-up matches highlighted the challenge of English pitches, which offered seam movement early and flattened out later. India A’s batsmen struggled initially against the moving ball but adapted better in the second innings, with Gill’s fluent 76 against the Lions showing his class. The team’s ability to adjust to swing and seam will be critical against England’s bowlers, who know these conditions inside out.
The bowlers, too, learned to exploit early moisture. Mukesh and Dayal’s success came from pitching the ball up, while Krishna’s shorter lengths were less effective. The warm-ups also exposed India A’s over-reliance on pace, with spinners struggling when the ball stopped swinging.
Takeaway: India A’s ability to adapt quickly to English conditions is encouraging, but they’ll need a balanced bowling attack to challenge England consistently.
What It Means for the Test Series
The warm-up matches have given India valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses. Jaiswal and Easwaran’s form provides stability at the top, while Pant’s return adds firepower to the middle order. The pace trio of Mukesh, Krishna, and Dayal looks promising, but the spin department needs work to counter England’s aggressive batsmen like Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Fielding lapses and no-ball issues must be addressed to avoid gifting England easy runs.
With Gill leading a young side and Pant bringing his X factor, India A’s preparation has laid a solid foundation. The warm-ups suggest they’re ready to compete, but consistency will be key against an England team playing on home turf. As former captain Sunil Gavaskar noted, “This India A side has the talent, but England’s conditions demand discipline. If they get that right, they can surprise the hosts.”
