Team India's England Tour: Rahul's Sleep Strategy, Coaching Rituals, and Coffee Culture Revealed

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

A notable observation during the trip was KL Rahul's commitment to comfort, as he transported a foldable mattress to ensure consistent sleep quality. While most players opt for their own pillows, Rahul's dedication highlights the importance of rest and recovery during a demanding tour. He prefers his own mattress to avoid softer hotel beds.

Upon arrival in Birmingham, Jasprit Bumrah quickly located a grocery store to acquire essential items. The team then settled into a luxury hotel, preparing for the challenges ahead.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak were seen taking their routine evening walk together, a practice dating back to the Champions Trophy in Dubai. This consistent ritual underscores the importance of mental and physical well-being for the coaching staff.

Caffeine Fix: The Team's Coffee Ritual

The team's penchant for coffee, which began in Leeds, is expected to continue throughout their time in Birmingham, London, and Manchester, before concluding at The Oval. Before the series opener at Headingley, players regularly ventured out for coffee and meals.

The senior players are setting examples by spending their free time with the younger members. Before boarding the bus to Birmingham, Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and fielding coach T Dilip made sure they got their caffeine fix before Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh started playing music on the bluetooth speaker.

While the team had a day off from training, there is a chance that cricketing activity will start up again on Friday.