IND Vs ENG Test: Gambhir Set To Rejoin Squad In Leeds On Tuesday 바카라“ Report

Gautam Gambhir, India's head coach, will link up with the Test squad in Leeds on Tuesday ahead of the highly anticipated five-match series against England, starting Friday at Headingley, says a report. Gambhir had flown back to Delhi on June 11 following his mother바카라™s hospitalisation.

According to ESPNCricinfo, with Gambhir's mother condition now reportedly improving, the 2011 World Cup hero is set to resume his duties just in time for India바카라™s most critical red-ball assignment in recent years.

In Gambhir바카라™s absence, the Indian squad continued its preparations under assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate and Sitanshu Kotak, alongside bowling coach Morne Morkel. Hrishikesh Kanitkar, currently overseeing the India A team, also lent his support during the build-up, including a behind-closed-doors three-day warm-up match against a select England XI in Beckenham.

A New Era Begins

The series marks the beginning of a new chapter in Indian Test cricket. With stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from the longest format, 24-year-old Shubman Gill will lead the side for the first time in a full Test series. The leadership transition has already received a stamp of approval from within the camp.

Tough Selection Calls Await

Gambhir will have to make a series of quick but pivotal decisions alongside the team management regarding the playing XI for the opening Test. Chief among them is the management of Jasprit Bumrah's workload, with the pace ace scheduled to feature in only three of the five matches. Which specific matches those will be is yet to be confirmed.

The batting order also presents challenges, with uncapped left-hander B Sai Sudharsan and the experienced but returning Karun Nair in contention to fill the shoes of Rohit and Kohli. Nair, who scored a double-century for India A earlier on tour, has made a strong case, while Dhruv Jurel and Abhimanyu Easwaran have also shown promising form.

Allrounder Dilemma

India바카라™s balance could hinge on the choice between seam-bowling allrounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur. Both have been short on form in the lead-up and failed to impress significantly in their India A outings, leaving the door open for a potential late twist in selection.

With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line바카라”introduced this year to replace the Pataudi Trophy바카라”the series offers a high-stakes setting for India to begin the 2025바카라“27 World Test Championship cycle.