Gautam Gambhir Rejoins Indian Team in Leeds Ahead of First Test Against England. Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian cricket team, rejoined the squad in Leeds on Wednesday, June 18, ahead of the first Test against England, set to begin on Friday, June 20.
Gautam Gambhir had flown back to Delhi on June 11 after his mother was hospitalised, causing him to miss the team’s three-day warm-up match in Beckenham. Her condition has reportedly improved since.
In Gautam Gambhir absence, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate and Sitanshu Kotak, along with bowling coach Morne Morkel, oversaw the team’s preparations. They were supported by India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and VVS Laxman, who was already in England with the A squad. The practice match in Beckenham was held behind closed doors.
🚨 Gautam Gambhir has rejoined Team India pic.twitter.com/blLv01MTnJ
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) June 18, 2025
Gautam Gambhir: India Set for New Era as First Test Against England Begins in Leeds on Friday
India will begin their five-match Test series against England on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, stepping into a new phase of their red-ball journey. The tour presents a stern test for the visitors, especially in the challenging English conditions.
The series marks the start of a new era following the retirements of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their absence leaves a leadership and experience void, now filled by a younger core led by Shubman Gill. This transition signals a fresh chapter in Indian Test cricket.
The series will run through August 2025, with matches scheduled at some of England’s most iconic grounds: Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord’s and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester, in addition to the opener in Leeds.