India vs England: Ahead of first Test at Headingley, R Ashwin's wife Prithi feels 'mixed emotions'

India Embarks on New Test Era Against England Amidst Emotional Transition

R Ashwin (L) with his family. (Instagram)

The Indian Test cricket team is entering a new phase as they prepare to face England in a highly anticipated five-match series at Headingley, Leeds. This series marks a significant turning point, as it's the first time since 2011 that the team will compete without prominent figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Under the fresh leadership of Shubman Gill, this series signifies the commencement of India's new journey in the ICC World Test Championship. The last instance of India playing without these seasoned players was during the 2011 Oval Test against England, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. This transition follows the departures of key players, with Rohit and Kohli having announced their retirements last month, and Ashwin concluding his Test career during the tour of Australia in 2024.

The emotional weight of this transition was highlighted in a touching social media post by Prithi Narayanan, Ravichandran Ashwin's wife, on the morning of the first Test.

"Test match day for India and I woke up with many many mixed feelings :) have to find a different way to love it and unlearn the only way I knew to," Prithi shared on her Instagram Story.

While Pujara and Rahane haven't officially retired, they are currently not under consideration for national team selection. These players were vital in India's ascent to the No.1 Test ranking and their remarkable victories in overseas conditions.

R Ashwin's wife Prithi posted on Instagram.

The new Indian Test team showcases a blend of young talent and experienced players. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Dhruv Jurel represent the emerging generation, while the pace attack is spearheaded by the established duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

The leadership structure has also been refreshed, with Rishabh Pant serving as vice-captain under Gill's captaincy. This new setup emphasizes aggressive cricket and adapting to the evolving demands of modern Test matches.