Gautam Gambhir rejoins Indian team ahead of the Leeds test amid mother's ailing health

Gautam Gambhir rushed back to India on 11th June after his mother was admitted to the hospital.

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian Cricket Team, has rejoined the squad in Leeds on Wednesday (18th June) ahead of the opening test against the England Cricket Team, which begins on Friday, June 20.

Gautam Gambhir had returned to Delhi on June 11 after his mother was hospitalised and missed the senior team’s three-day practice match in Beckenham, which also involved the touring India A side. Her condition is believed to have improved since.

In his absence, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate and Sitanshu Kotak, along with bowling coach Morne Morkel, managed the preparations. India A’s coach, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and also VVS Laxman, who was in England with the A squad, also assisted them. The warm-up match in Beckenham was played over the course of three days and was held behind closed doors.

Revsportz posted a photo with Gautam Gambhir along with other coaching staff in Leeds before the start of the first test match.

First test between India and England will begin in Leeds on Friday

India is set to face a formidable challenge in the demanding conditions of England in the upcoming test series. Following the recent retirements of batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the team has been left with a significant gap in experience. In the absence of these seasoned campaigners, the management has entrusted the responsibility to a new generation, signalling the start of a fresh chapter in Indian test cricket.

The five-match series begins on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds and will run through August 2025. With a revamped squad led by Shubman Gill and missing its veteran batters, India will need to rise to the occasion and deliver strong performances in England’s testing environment.

The matches are scheduled to take place at iconic venues—Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord’s and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.