Team India's England Tour: Rahul's Mattress, Coach's Walks, and the Coffee Culture Fueling Success

The Indian cricket team's journey through England is not just about wickets and runs, but also about the small comforts and routines that keep the players grounded. After departing from Leeds on June 25th, the squad embarked on a three-hour bus trip to Birmingham for the next leg of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Many players brought their own pillows for the journey, but KL Rahul took it to another level by bringing a foldable mattress. This isn't due to any specific health concerns, but rather a preference for the consistency of his own mattress, avoiding the varying firmness of hotel beds.

Upon arriving in Birmingham on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, Jasprit Bumrah quickly made a trip to a local grocery store for essentials. The rest of the team settled into their luxury hotel, preparing for the challenges ahead.

The coaching staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, have been observed taking evening strolls together, a routine that began during the Champions Trophy in Dubai. They were spotted again in Birmingham, exploring a well-known area of the city.

Coffee Culture

The team's coffee runs, which started in Leeds, are expected to continue throughout their time in Birmingham, London, and Manchester, before the summer concludes at The Oval. These outings have become a regular feature, with players stepping out in groups for coffee and meals, a tradition that began before the series opener at Headingley.

Senior players have made a conscious effort to spend time with the younger members of the squad when they're not training or playing. Before boarding the bus to Birmingham, players like Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and fielding coach T Dilip made sure to stock up on caffeine.

The team had a day off from training, but cricket activities are expected to resume on Friday.