India head coach Gautam Gambhir had to return to India on an emergency basis ahead of the senior team’s intra-squad match against India A, starting on Friday in Kent. The Indian team are currently in the United Kingdom to play a five-match Test series against England, starting on June 20 in Headingly. 

Based on a Revsportz report, Gambhir returned to India after his mother has suffered a heart attack. She is currently hospitalised and being treated in ICU. Notably, the Test series against England marks the starts of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for India. 

Having taken the charge from Rahul Dravid last year after the T20 World Cup, Gambhir had endured a tough time as India head coach, with losses against New Zealand and Australia in Tests. However, he tasted his first major success as a coach when India lifted the Champions Trophy 2025.

The tour of England is also a first for Gambhir as a support staff. Meanwhile, India A, which has a few players from the senior team, have already played two warm-up game against England Lions, both resulting in a draw. The India A vs India intra-squad game is the only remaining encounter that will give Gambhir and new captain Shubman Gill a final look into where they stand ahead of the Test series.