From Virat Kohli's form to batting worries: 3 things India learnt from Leicestershire clash ahead of Eng Test

Ahead of the big clash against England starting from July 1 in Edgbaston, Team India played a four-day warm-up match against Leicestershire. The game was India's last preparation ahead of the one-off Test match against Ben Stokes & co. which will determine the outcome of last year's incomplete series.

The match did not have the status of a first-class game which allowed many Indian players to play for Leicestershire in order to ensure all players from the touring party get sufficient game time. Taking advantage of the rules, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, and Shubman Gill batted for both teams while Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna bowled for both sides. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer batted twice in the same innings for India.

After a chaotic game, here are things India learned for the marquee clash against England

1) Virat Kohli regains form

After his miserable run of form in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), a lot of eyes were on Virat Kohli in this game. Putting his T20 cricket struggles behind him, Kohli looked in glorious touch. The ex-Indian skipper scored 33 runs in the first innings while making 67 in the second. More than his runs, it was the quality of shots that Kohli played which will give Indian fans a lot of confidence. The Indian batting talisman pulled off an array of breathtaking shots over the course of the two innings in which the highlight was an incredible upper cut six off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling.

2) Batting worries

While Kohli and Rishabh looked in good touch, the same cannot be said for the rest of the batting unit. It took the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shubman Gill, three attempts to get a half-century. While Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari could not manage to reach the milestone in even one of the three tries.

With Rohit Sharma's participation in doubt due to a positive COVID-Test and KL Rahul missing, the form of India's batting unit is extremely worrying. With there just being one game and a historic series win on the cards, there is no time for the Indian batters to adjust and they need to hit the ground running in Birmingham.

3) KS Bharat - A worthy back-up

In recent times, one of the biggest decisions taken by Rahul Dravid and the Indian selectors has been to move away from veteran wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha in order to introduce some young blood in the squad. KS Bharat was chosen as Pant's back-up in the squad and the stumper did his impression no harm in the warm-up game.

After India's top-order collapsed, Bharat played a solid unbeaten knock of 70 in the first innings and followed up with a 43-run innings in the second innings. While the 28-year-old is uncapped at the international level, he has shown that he is more than good enough with both bat and the gloves to replace Rishabh Pant in the team if the need arises.