Gautam Gambhir Returns to India Amid Family Emergency Ahead of England Test Series

Gautam Gambhir's Sudden Departure

The head coach of Team India, Gautam Gambhir, had to leave the squad in England unexpectedly due to a family emergency on June 12. While in Kent for training, he was set to oversee a four-day intra-squad match as part of the team's preparation for the upcoming Test series against England, commencing on June 20.

Before the intra-squad match could take place, Gambhir made the decision to return home, delegating responsibilities to batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, bowling coach Morne Morkel, and fielding coach T. Dilip to manage training sessions in his absence. He was not present for the training on June 12, having departed for Delhi the previous day.

Family Health Crisis

Reports indicate that Gambhir's mother, Seema Gambhir, experienced a cardiac arrest and was admitted to the ICU in Delhi. Upon learning of her condition, Gambhir prioritized family and flew back to be with her during this challenging time.

Uncertainty Surrounding Gambhir's Return

Currently, Gambhir is with his family, and there is uncertainty regarding his return to the Indian squad for the first Test against England at Headingley. A source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that his return to the UK hinges on his mother's recovery.

"Gambhir had to return to India because of a family emergency. He left for India on Wednesday. Our prayers are with his family," stated a BCCI source.

"At this moment, we cannot confirm when he will arrive back in the UK; it all depends on his mother's health. If all goes well, he should be back for the first Test at Headingley," the source added.

Team India's Preparations

Before his departure, Gambhir had been actively involved in the team's training sessions at Lord's and Kent. He conducted a team huddle, welcoming new players Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Arshdeep Singh to the red-ball squad, and emphasized the importance of unity and discipline as they prepared for the English conditions.

Aiming for Historic Victory

Team India is set to kick off their new World Test Championship cycle with a five-match series against England. After finishing third in the points table and missing out on the WTC 2023-25 final, the team is undergoing a transition following the retirements of key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

With Rohit and Kohli stepping away from Test cricket before the England tour and Ashwin announcing his retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI has appointed Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy.

Gautam Gambhir faces the significant challenge of guiding a relatively young Indian Test side through this transition. Following defeats against New Zealand and Australia, the team, under Gambhir and Gill's leadership, is eager to make a strong comeback in England.

Additionally, Team India aims to secure their first Test series win in England since 2007, when they achieved a historic 1-0 victory under Rahul Dravid's captaincy. The upcoming matches will reveal if this new-look squad can achieve success in England after 18 years.