India head coach Gautam Gambhir has flown back to New Delhi from England after his mother suffered a heart attack on June 11. He is expected to rejoin the team by June 17, ahead of the first Test against England beginning June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. In his absence, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, along with Morne Morkel and Sitanshu Kotak, will oversee the team’s preparation, including a four-day intra-squad warm-up match starting June 13. This series marks India’s first under new captain Shubman Gill and the beginning of a new era following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir rushed back to New Delhi after his mother suffered a heart attack, just days before India’s first Test against England at Headingley.
With Gambhir away, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is leading the Indian squad during the crucial intra-squad match, alongside Morne Morkel and Sitanshu Kotak.
Sources confirm Gambhir is likely to rejoin Team India by June 17, just three days before the first Test vs England, if his mother’s condition stabilizes.
With legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket, this England series inaugurates a fresh chapter under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
The five-Test series kicks off June 20 in Leeds and will be India’s first World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle assignment.
Team India will play a 360-over intra-squad game starting June 13 to simulate real match conditions—vital for acclimatizing to England’s pace-friendly pitches.
With batting slots open, performances from Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel in warm-ups could impact India’s final playing XI for the 1st Test.
Gill’s leadership credentials will be under scrutiny as he leads a relatively young squad in one of cricket’s toughest touring destinations.
Before leaving, Gambhir emphasized strategy secrecy, opting for a closed-door warm-up game to keep England guessing on team plans and combinations.
With venues like Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford hosting later matches, India’s performance in this series will shape their WTC standing and team morale.