Gautam Gambhir returns home due to family emergency | India tour of England 2025

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has flown back to India following a family emergency. This situation, reportedly a temporary break, is due to a family emergency. The 43-year-old's mother has suffered a heart attack and is currently admitted to the ICU. The BCCI is expected to issue an official statement soon. 

 

Gambhir's absence comes on the day when India are scheduled to play an intra-squad game in Beckenham. The India vs India A fixture will be the only practice game for the senior side ahead of the five-match Test series against England, starting on June 20. As things stand, Gambhir is expected to be back with the squad by June 17. In his absence, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel will have to assume greater leadership.

 

The coaching staff of the India A side, notably Hrishikesh Kanitkar, is also expected to be unofficially helming things in the India camp. It will also mean that the new captain, Shubman Gill, will have to take more authority in decision-making and planning.

 

Earlier this week, Gambhir had called for a behind-closed-doors practice game, similar to the methods used by European football teams to maintain tactical secrecy. The intra-squad match will serve as a fair marker for the team management in setting the batting order for the Test series. The tour is India's first major assignment in Tests after the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. 

 

The first match of the series is scheduled at Headingley, followed by matches in Birmingham, Lord's, Manchester and The Oval.  

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