'They will come here with high hopes' - Brendon McCullum not taking young India lightly

India might have travelled to the United Kingdom without experienced players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Ravichandran Ashwin, but England head coach Brendon McCullum knows how dangerous the youngsters in the Shubman Gill-led camp can be in the impending five-match Test series.

Shubman is set to lead the Indian Test side for the first time as he was appointed as captain after Rohit Sharma revealed his decision to retire from the red-ball format last month. He has a tough task at hand, looking to get India off to a positive start in the World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle against a formidable England side.

"They're an outstanding cricketing nation, who will come here with high hopes, and we are looking forward to seeing them," McCullum told 'Sky Sports Cricket'.

After beating the West Indies comprehensively in three ODIs and as many T20Is recently, the Three Lions have shifted their focus to the longest format of the game with the series against India set to begin on June 20, and the Ashes later this year.

"It's important the guys refresh. We know where we want to get to as a Test team," former New Zealand captain McCullum noted.

While England will be without the likes of Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, and Jofra Archer in the first Test, McCullum believes that there is enough ammunition in the tank.

"There are some quality bowlers that are unavailable, but we have a nice, varied bowling attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue for the high-pace element," the former New Zealand skipper said. "We have Shoaib Bashir, who is growing in Test cricket every day. We know we are going to be tested against India, and they will arrive prepared."

Jacob Bethell is already becoming a leader in the dressing room: McCullum

McCullum also expressed satisfaction seeing how the 21-year-old Jacob Bethell is developing across formats and also becoming a leader in the dressing room.

"Bethell has a good life in front of him. For a 21-year-old, he's got a real poise, and that allows him to go out there and be present and show off his flair and talent. The world is his oyster. He's already becoming a leader in the dressing room, which is what you want," he added.

McCullum also mentioned Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett as two talented cricketers to look forward to in the much-awaited five-match Test series.

"Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett have reminded me of Duckett and Zak Crawley in the Test game. We know how good Duckett is, but the power that Smith possesses is amazing. These guys are fearless, and if you add the craft, then you hope you end up with a rounded player," McCullum said.