Gautam Gambhir Return! Head coach included Team India for 1 training session in Headingley

The professor is back! Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has rejoined the group after returning from India. The former Indian opener was in England with the team before he had to leave for India due to a family emergency.

Gautam Gambhir oversees India’s 1st training in Leeds

According to RevSportz, Gambhir is back in the Indian camp during their penultimate training session at Headingley on Tuesday, June 18, just two days before the start of the five-match Test series against England. His presence is definitely vital for the young Indian squad, which is entering a new phase under captain Shubman Gill following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Gambhir had flown back to India last week after his mother reportedly suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the ICU. As per sources close to the coach, her condition has since stabilised, allowing Gambhir to make his return in time for the Leeds Test.

IND vs ENG: Gambhir under pressure

The series against England will mark Gambhir’s 4th Test tour as coach. He replaced Rahul Dravid in 2024 after the latter’s tenure came to an end following the T20 World Cup. He started his stint on a victorious note as India managed to whitewash Bangladesh at home.

However, Rohit Sharma and co. were handed a 3-0 defeat by New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The two series defeats meant India failed to qualify for the WTC final for the first time. Now, the five-match England Tests will start the new WTC 2025-27 cycle for India. Meanwhile, contrary to earlier reports, VVS Laxman is not part of the coaching setup. A BCCI source confirmed that Laxman’s visit to England was unrelated to the national team, and he holds no official role.

With Gambhir back at the helm, India will train once more on the eve of the first Test, which begins June 20 at Headingley.