India head coach Gautam Gambhir has temporarily returned from England to India due to a family medical emergency. According to Revsportz, as cited by Moneycontrol, Gambhir’s mother suffered a heart attack and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Gangaram Hospital in New Delhi. Hindustan Times also reported Gambhir’s return, citing sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The development comes just days before the start of India’s five-Test series against England, set to begin on June 20 in Leeds. The series also marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Sources within the BCCI confirmed to Hindustan Times that Gambhir returned to India on Wednesday, June 11. “Gambhir had to return to India because of a family emergency. He left for India on Wednesday. Our prayers are with his family,” said a BCCI source as reported by HIndustanTimes.
No confirmed return date for Gambhir
Gambhir’s return date to England remains uncertain. His involvement in the first Test hinges entirely on his mother’s recovery. “As of now, his exact date of arrival in the UK is not certain and it all depends on his mother’s recovery. If everything goes well, he should be back for the first Test in Headingley,” added the BCCI official as reported by HindustanTimes.
Before his departure, Gambhir had been actively overseeing India’s preparations, including early training sessions. He was also expected to supervise the intra-squad match between India and India A, which began on June 13 in Beckenham.
Team management structure in Gambhir’s absence
With Gambhir away, coaching responsibilities have been delegated to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, a former Netherlands all-rounder. He is being supported by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel.
This is not the first instance of Gambhir stepping away due to personal reasons. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December 2024, he returned to India ahead of the second Test in Adelaide. At that time, Abhishek Nayar and other support staff handled team duties. Similarly, in early 2024, Ravichandran Ashwin had to leave a Test match midway due to a family medical emergency before returning to play on Day 4.
Tributes during intra-squad match
Despite Gambhir’s absence, the intra-squad match proceeded as planned in Beckenham. In a solemn tribute, the team honored victims of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. As posted by the BCCI on X: “The players and members of support staff involved in the intra-squad game in Beckenham are wearing black armbands. A minute’s silence was also observed today to pay homage to the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash, as a mark of respect for the lives lost and solidarity with the affected families.”
The players and members of support staff involved in the intra-squad game in Beckenham are wearing black armbands.
A minute’s silence was also observed today to pay homage to the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash, as a mark of respect for the lives lost and solidarity with… pic.twitter.com/u364pNdGyu
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 13, 2025
