The Indian cricket team begin their 2022 tour of the UK with a four-day practice Test match against Leicestershire on Friday, June 24.
The practice match - a first-class fixture - will serve as a warm-up game for the rescheduled Test between England and India. The five-match Test series is in favour of India, who took a 2-1 lead following a 157-run victory in the fourth Test at the Oval last year. The final Test was rescheduled due to COVID concerns.
In the absence of the injured KL Rahul, Shubman Gill will open the batting alongside captain Rohit Sharma for the red-ball cricket fixtures.
Another major absentee for the Indian team will be seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The 35-year-old, who has registered 442 Test wickets in 86 Test matches, tested positive for COVID-19 and will only be able to link up with the side after the Edgbaston Test vs England.
The Leicestershire county team, meanwhile, are coming off a defeat to Nottinghamshire by an innings and nine runs in the County Championship Two.
The practice Test match between Leicestershire and India will be played at Grace Road in Leicester. The venue is known for hosting the 2006 Test between England Women and India Women, which ended in a draw.
Besides the rescheduled Test against England, India will also play three ODIs and as many T20Is during their tour to the UK.
Leicestershire vs India practice Test squads
Leicestershire squad: To be announced
India squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
Where to watch Leicestershire vs India practice Test live in India?
Live-streaming for Leicestershire vs India practice Test will be available on Leicestershire’s Youtube channel.
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Featured photo: AFP / PRAKASH SINGH
