Gautam Gambhir returns to India after mom suffers heart attack ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Tests: Reports
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir had to return to India due to a family emergency ahead of the Test series against England, as per a report by RevSportz. England are set to host India for a five-match Test series, beginning June 20.
The Indian team had already reached England and begun their training and practice ahead of the series. As per the report, Gautam Gambhir's mother has suffered a heart attack and is currently in ICU, due to which the head coach had to return to India.
Notably, the Indian senior team are scheduled to play a practice game with the India A team beginning Friday, June 13, to prepare for the series. However, following a request by Gambhir himself, the game will be played behind closed doors and will not be streamed.
The first Test will be played from June 20-24 at Headingley. The second Test will be played from July 2-6 in Edgbaston while the third Test will be played from July 10-14 at Lord’s. The fourth Test will be played from July 23-27 in Old Trafford while the fifth and final Test will be played at July 31- August 4 at The Oval.
Gautam Gambhir backs the Indian team in England
India appointed young Shubman Gill as the Test captain ahead of the England series. Gill will take over from Rohit Sharma, who recently announced his retirement from the format. Soon after, star batter Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from Test cricket while veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin had announced his retirement from international cricket during the 2024-25 BGT series.
Therefore, the Indian team will be without the three stalwarts and experienced players in England, making it a tough challenge for the side under new captain Shubman Gill.
However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the team to pull off something special in England despite the absence of the three senior pros.
"There are two ways of looking at this. One is that we are without our three most experienced players, or we have a phenomenal opportunity to do something special for the country," Gambhir said.
The series marks the beginning of a new era for the Indian team in Test cricket.