Team India Settles in Birmingham: Rahul's Mattress, Coaches' Strolls, and the Enduring Coffee Ritual

Birmingham, England: The Indian cricket team transitioned from Leeds to Birmingham on June 25th, embarking on a three-hour bus journey for the next leg of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

India in England (Photo Credit: TimesofIndia.com)

The journey saw several players prioritizing comfort, with many carrying their own pillows. KL Rahul took it a step further, bringing a foldable mattress to ensure consistent sleep quality. The preference stems from a dislike for softer hotel beds, ensuring Rahul maintains his accustomed sleeping arrangement.

The team arrived in Birmingham under bright skies on Wednesday afternoon. Jasprit Bumrah quickly located a local grocery store to stock up on essentials. The remainder of the day was spent settling into their luxury hotel.

Right from the Champions Trophy in Dubai, head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak have been spotted together during the evening hours. Wednesday was no exception as the duo were spotted strolling around a famous spot in the city.

With time to spare before the second Test, the players are taking advantage of the break to rest and recharge.

The Constant Coffee Culture

The team's coffee runs, which started in Leeds, are set to continue in Birmingham, London, and Manchester, culminating at The Oval. In Leeds, players frequently ventured out in groups for coffee and meals, a routine established before the series opener at Headingley.

Senior players have been making an effort to spend time with the younger members of the squad during off-hours. Before boarding the bus to Birmingham, players including Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, along with fielding coach T Dilip, made sure to get their caffeine fix before Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh took over with music on the Bluetooth speaker.

The team did not train on Wednesday and has an off day today, but cricket activities are expected to resume on Friday.