Gambhir Rushes Home Due to Family Emergency, to Miss India's Warm-Up Game in England

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir will miss the start of the team’s intra-squad warm-up match against India A, set to begin on Friday in Beckenham. According to multiple reports, Gambhir had to leave the tour midway and return to New Delhi due to a family emergency.

Sources have revealed that Gambhir’s mother, Seema Gambhir, suffered a heart attack on June 11, prompting the former opener to rush back home. India Today reported that he is expected to rejoin the squad on June 17, just three days before the first Test kicks off at Headingley, Leeds on June 20. In Gambhir’s absence, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate will take over the responsibilities for the four-day intra-squad game. He will be supported by bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak during this crucial phase of preparation. 

The timing of Gambhir’s departure comes at a delicate moment for the team. The warm-up fixture is India’s only match simulation ahead of the England Test series, and it was expected to play a key role in finalising the team’s batting order — especially after the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their exits have left two big holes in the top six, and the likes of B Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair are being closely looked at as possible replacements. 

Gambhir, who has been hands-on during the team’s training sessions, had reportedly planned to use this warm-up match to experiment and observe closely. With questions still lingering over his credentials as India’s red-ball head coach — particularly after the team’s recent struggles in the format — this tour represents a fresh chapter and a big opportunity for both him and the young squad. 

As previously announced, the India vs India A game is being played behind closed doors. There will be no live telecast or media access, with the management keen to avoid giving England a peek into their preparations. The decision mirrors the approach taken during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia earlier this year. 

Although Gambhir’s absence for the warm-up isn’t ideal, the team will aim to stay focused under ten Doeschate’s guidance. With the countdown to the first Test ticking down, every training day and match scenario will matter — and all eyes will now be on how India adapts in these final days before the real battle begins in Leeds. 

Also Read: India vs India A: No Live Stream for Warm-Up Game as Team Prepares Behind Closed Doors in Kent