Former India cricketer and current National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman will supervise India’s preparation for the opening Test against England, with head coach Gautam Gambhir temporarily back in India due to a family emergency.
Gambhir Flies Home After Mother Suffers Heart Attack
Gautam Gambhir flew back to India on Friday after his mother, Seema Gambhir, suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the ICU of a hospital in New Delhi.
“Gautam’s mother had a heart attack on Wednesday. He and his family left for India on Thursday, and they have reached Delhi,” a BCCI source told PTI.
“His mother is showing signs of recovery, although she is still in the ICU. In all likelihood, he will be back in the UK before the start of the opening Test (starting June 20) if all goes well.”
India and England will play the first Test of the five-match series at Headingley in Leeds from June 20 to 24.
Laxman Steps In as Interim Coach
VVS Laxman, who is currently in London ahead of India Under-19’s month-long UK tour, will temporarily step in to guide the senior team. The junior team will play five youth ODIs starting June 27, followed by two youth Tests in Beckenham and Chelmsford in July.
Laxman, having prior experience leading India’s squads in Gambhir’s absence, will support the team until the head coach rejoins.
In late 2023, Laxman coached a second-string India squad during a T20I series in South Africa and again in July 2024 during a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, where Shubman Gill captained the national side for the first time.
Support Staff Filling In During Intra-Squad Match
In the meantime, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is overseeing India’s intra-squad four-day match between India and India A, which began on Friday. He is receiving support from other members of the coaching team, including bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
Shubman Gill is leading the Indian team, currently staying in the UK, as they prepare for a challenging five-Test series against England.
