Gautam Gambhir returns from England for emergency

New Delhi

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned from England due to a family emergency. Gambhir had traveled to the UK last week with the national team to supervise preparations for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting June 20 at Headingley in Leeds.

Just before an intra-squad practice match, Gambhir had to cut his trip short because of urgent personal reasons. While the BCCI has not released an official statement, his return is likely to be temporary.

This Test series is especially important for India as it marks the beginning of a new era after senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket. Their absence has shifted the focus onto the next generation of players, with Shubman Gill leading the side. Other key members of the squad include Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and vice-captain Rishabh Pant.

India faces a tough challenge in England, where their past record has been inconsistent. The Test series will run from June to August 2025, with matches scheduled at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford.

On the other side, England’s squad for the opening match features experienced players like captain Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Ollie Pope, along with newcomers such as Shoaib Bashir and Jacob Bethell.