BGT 2024-25: Head coach Gautam Gambhir to miss India's pink-ball practice match ahead of 2nd test - Reports

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has left Australia to return to India.

The Indian cricket team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir will not be with the team when they play the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra in a two-day practice match ahead of the second test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

India won the first test against Australia in Perth by 295 runs. That was despite being bowled out for only 150 runs in the first innings. Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational bowling performances – 5/30 & 3/42 – and his exceptional leadership earned him the Man of the Match award, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli racked up centuries.

The second test will be a day-night contest which will be played with the pink ball. It will be hosted in Adelaide from December 6.

Before the second test, India will play a two-day practice game against the Prime Minister’s XI at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, from November 30.

Gautam Gambhir to miss practice game; assistant coaches will take charge

They will be without their head coach Gautam Gambhir during the practice game as he is on his way back to India due to personal reasons. Assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel will be in charge in Gambhir’s absence.

However, Gambhir will rejoin the team in Adelaide ahead of the second test, says a report in ESPNcricinfo.

While Gambhir left for India after the Perth test, captain Rohit Sharma joined the team during the match and is set to feature in the practice game in Canberra. Rohit will take back the captaincy duties from Bumrah from the second test.

India currently lead the series 1-0 following their heroic show in Perth at the Optus Stadium, where Australia lost their first test match after four consecutive wins.

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