India and England will play the 1st Test of 5-match series in Leeds from June 20.
Players on the Indian cricket team experienced nostalgia when traveling by train from London to Leeds, the location of the opening Test of the five-match series. They reminisced about their early train trip experiences in India.
The BCCI shared a two-minute video on X showing Team India members carrying coffee mugs as they left their London team hotel. Along with a few sly jokes and anecdotes, they responded to fan requests for selfies.
Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel jogged down memory lane and recalled one of his childhood train journeys. He said: "When I was very young, my father was posted in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. There were a lot of mountains and beautiful, beautiful scenes during the journey. I used to get very excited. He always used to take the window seat so that I could sit and enjoy the scenery.”
Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel was seen clicking photos of KL Rahul, who was sitting at a window seat on the train.
Senior professional Shardul Thakur, who returned to the team, talked about his experience riding the local trains in Mumbai.
"There's a direct train from my house. I walk for a few minutes, take a local train, go there, practise, and come back on the local train. That’s my memory of trains. Of course, right now I'm enjoying a nice, comfortable window seat. But back in Mumbai, it’s not the same. You have to go through that hustle. This is definitely easy. So, yes, I'm at peace with this right now," said Thakur.
The video ended with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav welcoming everyone to the venue. He said, "Welcome to Leeds."