England tour: Coach Gautam Gambhir returns to India due to family emergency

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to India from England just days ahead of the Test series set to begin from June 20. India and England are set to lock horns in a five-match series, which will be the first assignment for new captain Shubman Gill. However, the team has suffered a major blow as coach Gautam Gambhir had to return home as his mother suffered a heart attack.

Gautam’s mother, Seema Gambhir, reportedly suffered a heart attack on June 11, and hence, the India coach had to leave the tour midway to fly back home. India Today has learnt that he will now join the team on 17th June, just three days ahead of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds.

The England tour is India’s first assignment after the retirement of the legendary trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket. Hence, it will mark the beginning of a new era of Indian cricket with Gill and Gambhir at the helm.

The head coach has looked charged up in preparation for the series, as seen in several practice videos shared by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). With questions all around on his credentials as a Test head coach following India’s recent debacle in the longest format, Gambhir is eager to turn things around with a young side in the upcoming tour.

Meanwhile, India will finalise their preparation for the series through an intra-squad warm-up game against India A beginning from June 13. Gambhir has opted for a closed-door session as he doesn’t want the opposition to get any ideas on the tactical front.

During the four-day warm-up game, players will undergo 360 overs of match simulation, which will allow the bowlers to have enough overs under their belt before they start the series.

Published By:

Rishabh Beniwal

Published On:

Jun 13, 2025