Gautam Gambhir set for return to England on this day: Reports

Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir as per various reports will rejoin the camp ahead of the first Test starting on Friday. Gambhir, had to fly down to India after his mother fell ill last week. Former India batter VVS Laxman has joined the team as a temporary coach to get the team ready for the first game of the series which will be played in Leeds. 

One BCCI source spoke to Hindustan Times where he was quoted as saying “Gambhir will leave for the UK today. He will join the team in London and then the entire squad will travel to Headingley on Tuesday,". Currently the players have just finished with the Intra-Squad match that was played at Beckenham. 

Cricbuzz while reporting about VVS Laxman quoted a BCCI official as saying “He has gone there for some other purpose, not on any assignment with the Indian team. He travelled to London from Lausanne, The target is to win in England, and he may have spoken to the coaches and selectors present here, and perhaps even attended the intra-squad game. But he holds no official role with this team."

Matthew Hayden casts doubt on English bowling 

Former Australian batter Mathhew Hayden has made a huge statement about English bowling attack in his chat with Star Sports. The likes of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson as well as Mark Wood are ruled out due to fitness concerns. This will be the first full home season with neither James Anderson or Stuart Broad being part of the set-up. 

Hayden said “I don't think England fast bowlers are that good. They have got a number of injuries, and a number of retirees as well. So that will be a challenge, those northern Test matches, when it is zipping around, that will be key. Win that one, and it could well be a series that goes India's way,"

Meanwhile, England coach Brendon McCullum as quoted by India Today said “There are some quality bowlers unavailable, but we have a nice, varied attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue providing the high-pace element. We also have Shoaib Bashir, who is growing in confidence with every Test. We know we're going to be tested against India, and they will arrive well-prepared,"