Gautam Gambhir set to travel with India A side to England ahead of five-match Test series: Reports

Indian coach Gautam Gambhir is keen to put the horrors of India’s Test misery behind. Times of India has reported that Gambhir is set to tour England earlier than expected with the India A side. Team India are set to kick off their next World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027) with a five-match Test series in England. 

Ever since Gambhir became coach, India has registered just one Test series win against Bangladesh. This was followed by the 3-0 home loss to New Zealand and the 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Those two reversals saw India lose the chance to qualify for the World Test Championship finals. 

It isn’t known if Gambhir will just be overseeing proceedings or coaching the side. In case Gambhir is going to England just to get a feel of conditions, VVS Laxman could coach the side. Sources indicated to Times of India that Gambhir is keen to put a firm place in place for India’s Test side for the next 24 months. 

‘Wants to take stock of situation’- Reason behind Gambhir’s early trip to England 

One BCCI source while speaking to Times of India said, “Gambhir has been in discussions with the BCCI since he returned from Australia. He has expressed his desire to travel with India A side to get a clearer view of the reserve pool. With India winning the Champions Trophy after Gambhir’s insistence for certain wild card players, one may expect him to assert more in future.”

The source in the know also added, “One of the crucial issues identified is reviving India A tours. There have been only handful of ‘A’ series after Dravid left NCA and all of those were shadow tours for a marquee series. Gambhir too believes that there needs to be more ‘A’ tours. That’s why he wants to take stock of the situation first hand.”

Despite winning the Champions Trophy, there is massive question mark on the Test futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The two batting stalwarts were founding wanting in the series at home to New Zealand and away in Australia. Gambhir’s early trip to England could be useful if the two batters are to score runs in England.