Security Scare Forces Team India to Stay Indoors Ahead of Crucial Edgbaston Test

Security Scare Forces Team India to Stay Indoors Ahead of Crucial Edgbaston Test
Birmingham City Centre Police on Tuesday requested the India team, including captain Shubman Gill, to remain indoors in their Birmingham hotel after a suspicious package was discovered close to Centenary Square. The team had been mere hours away from the critical second Test against England at Edgbaston on July 2, 2025, after already losing the first Test.
Players were informed of the situation at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday when the Police discovered a discarded package at Centenary Square. But a cordon was quickly erected and a number of buildings evacuated as a precaution.
We have a cordon in place at Centenary Square, Birmingham city centre, while we examine a suspicious package," Birmingham City Centre Police tweeted on X and continued, "We were made aware shortly before 3 p.m., and several buildings have been evacuated as a precaution while it's being examined. Avoid the area."

When questioned about the incident, an official of the team India replied, "Everything is fine." But BCCI has asked the team members not to venture out after the police’s social media report.
Eight team members, including skipper Shubman Gill, had turned up earlier for an optional practice session at Edgbaston, while the rest of the 10 members had taken a day off. The team had been evacuated to their hotel from the training when the security alert was sounded. The security risk was shortly thereafter brought under wraps, and West Midlands Police issued a statement to verify the cordon had been lifted a few minutes before 4:30 PM - about an hour and a half after the initial alarm.
The threat of security adds more substance to India's preparations as they play at a historically stern venue. India have never won a Test at Edgbaston, having lost seven of their eight previous encounters at the venue with only one being a draw. Captain Shubman Gill was tactful when it comes to team choice but divulged that the pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah is "definitely available" for the game, albeit earlier on, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate commented that the choice will be made in the "last minute."
The second Test at Edgbaston is where both sides are eager to gain important points in this prestigious encounter, which marks the beginning of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy era - the international trophy between India and England named after cricket legends James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar.