India vs England Test Series: Rahul's Mattress, Coaches' Walks & Coffee Culture Revealed

Thursday - 26/06/2025 09:25

The Indian cricket team travelled to Birmingham from Leeds on June 25 for their next Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy match. KL Rahul's personal mattress highlighted players' preference for comfortable sleep. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak were seen exploring the city. Coffee runs and senior players mentoring youngsters marked their downtime, with training possibly resuming on Friday.

England vs. India Test Series: Inside the Team's Travel and Downtime

The Indian cricket team during their tour of England.

India in England (Photo Credit: TimesofIndia.com)

The Indian cricket team's journey from Leeds to Birmingham on June 25th offered a glimpse into the players' routines and preferences during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. The three-hour bus ride saw many players opting for the comfort of their own pillows. However, KL Rahul took personal comfort to a new level, bringing along a foldable mattress for consistent sleep quality, aiming to avoid the varying firmness of hotel beds.

The team arrived in Birmingham under sunny skies on Wednesday. Jasprit Bumrah quickly made a trip to a local grocery store for necessities, while the rest of the team settled into their luxury hotel.

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Coaching Staff's Evening Ritual

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak have established a routine of evening strolls, a practice observed since the Champions Trophy in Dubai. They were seen exploring a well-known location in Birmingham, maintaining their consistent presence together.

Indian cricket team coaches spotted taking an evening walk in Birmingham.

With time to spare before the second Test, the players are making the most of their downtime, and more sightings are expected.

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The Constant Coffee Breaks

The team's coffee runs, which began in Leeds, are set to continue throughout their time in Birmingham, London, and Manchester, culminating at The Oval. Regular coffee outings and meals in Leeds were a common sight before the series commenced at Headingley.

The Indian cricket team enjoying coffee during their England tour.

Senior players have been consistently seen spending time with the younger members of the squad when they are not training or playing.

Before leaving for Birmingham, players like Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and fielding coach T Dilip made sure to get their caffeine fix before Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh took over the Bluetooth speaker with their music.

The Indian team did not train on Wednesday and has a day off today. However, cricket activities are likely to resume on Friday.