By Trisha Ghosal in Leeds
The English summer is rarely associated with the words “hot” or “dry.” But as the Indian cricket team prepares to kick off their five-match Test series against England at Headingley, Leeds seems to be rewriting its own weather script.
Yesterday, at 3 PM, the temperature read 26°C but don’t let the number fool you. On the ground, it felt like 32. This wasn’t the kind of sticky, humid heat that one might expect on subcontinental shores. This was dry heat, sharp and direct, almost desert-like in its intensity. And when you’re playing the longest format of the game, every degree feels personal.
There is, however, one silent blessing: the wind. A cool breeze has been sweeping across the ground intermittently, offering momentary relief to players. But it’s not quite enough to bring comfort to those who will be standing for hours, fielding under the harsh glare, or running twos and threes between wickets.
It was under these challenging conditions that KL Rahul and Karun Nair were spotted doing laps around the outfield after wrapping up their batting stints in the nets yesterday. A small but significant sight; fitness is clearly going to play a central role in this series. And in such dry heat, endurance could prove to be as important as technique.
Headingley has a reputation for drama, one only has to whisper Ben Stokes and 2019 to see hearts race. This time, though, the drama may begin even before the first ball is bowled. The pitch has a thick layer of grass, the sun is high, and strategies are being kept close to the chest. Questions over India’s playing XI, whether they’ll go with four seamers or bring in Kuldeep Yadav, are yet unanswered.
But what’s certain is this: the temperature is rising, not just in Leeds, but across living rooms, commentary boxes, and Twitter feeds. India versus England isn’t just a Test match, it’s an emotional rollercoaster waiting to unfold. And it all begins in the heat of Leeds.