India's team coach, Gautam Gambhir, set to return with the squad in Leeds on Tuesday.
Gautam Gambhir Returns to Indian Cricket Squad Ahead of England Test
Gautam Gambhir, India's head coach, will rejoin the team on June 17, 2025, in Leeds, England, prior to the initial Test against England scheduled for June 20, 2025[1][2][3]. The former Indian opener had to cut short his tenure with the squad due to a family emergency when his mother experienced a heart attack on June 11, 2025. Luckily, Gambhir's mother has recuperated, enabling the coach to return to England for the impending matches[1][4][5]. In the meantime, the team will focus on intensive preparations before the Test series commences.
The Indian team had been stationed in Beckenham for a crucial intra-squad game, featuring the main Test team against India 'A' led by Abhimanyu Easwaran. The game went on behind closed doors, yet updates were shared through BCCI's social media accounts. Interestingly, around this time there were sightings of former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman, serving as the head of BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), being around the team. The development sparked curiosity, as the presence of Laxman with the Indian team coincided with Gambhir jetting off to be with his family in New Delhi[6].
However, sources confirmed to IANS that Laxman's meeting with the Indian team was indeed already planned, as he was expected to stay in England for only a brief period, having previously been in Lausanne, Switzerland, for an Olympics-related function[6]. Upon returning to Leeds, Gambhir and the Indian team management will face a multitude of decisions, such as determining the number of Tests Jasprit Bumrah will participate in and identifying the ideal batting order[7].
As the Test series against England gets set to begin, fans and enthusiasts across the globe eagerly await the Indian team's success – a win for the team in England since 2007[7].
Sources:[1] Official ICC Website[2] ESPN CricInfo[3] The Indian Express[4] Times Now[5] NDTV[6] IANS (interview)[7] Cricket Country
Gautam Gambhir's return to England on June 17, 2025, for the upcoming Test series against England could potentially impact his involvement in sports news, as decisions regarding his number of Tests and ideal batting order are now under the team management's consideration. With the English Test series set to mark India's first win since 2007, career achievements and sports milestones will be at stake for the Indian cricket team.
