- June 14, 2025
As Team India prepares for a tough five-match Test series against England, an unexpected story has taken the focus off the pitch. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has flown back to India on personal leave. I am pretty sure this is not ideal timing, but it does give us a bit of an insight into the talent and strength, in-depth, of this new-look Indian setup. So let’s unpack what this means as India readies for its biggest red-ball test since Mohali back in 2018.
A Surprise Exit, But Not a Crisis
In theory, losing your head coach the week before a significant Test series is a massive flag; however, in fairness to Gambhir’s interim appointment, it may not be as disruptive as people may think. The intra-squad match, which kicks off today in Beckenham, will take place without Gambhir and under the witness of India’s complete support staff, who comprise Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, Bowling coach Morne Morkel, Fielding coach T Dilip and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coach, all of whom have played under international pressure at some point of time in their careers. The support staff are all on the same page and have all been in this environment long enough for continuity, structure, and intensity to remain with the team during the head coaching transition.
Gambhir’s Imprint Still Looms Large
Before finally going home, Gambhir left the team with a compelling message: focus on the opportunity as opposed to the barriers. He encouraged them in an interview with the BCCI.TV, to accept this tour, have fun on this tour, and make memories, even without senior players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah. That mindset shift from deficit to opportunity feels very Gambhir-like. That mental structure he has begun to create will stay and be a part of India’s mindset in preparation as well. It’s not just where looking at tactics from him as a coach, we are also looking at the attitude. The upcoming four-day practice match will allow new players to show that they belong, and the philosophy of Gambhir’s mantra of having no fear will be the undertone all the way through.
A Test for the Support Staff, Too
This development also highlights India’s support staff. The coaching structure around the team has become more fluid in recent times. Morkel’s pace-bowling experience spans several years of international experience, and Kotak has worked to develop domestic batting talent over several years. Ten Doeschate has some appeal to associate cricket fans and can add a new dimension to India’s bench. This is their opportunity to rise to the occasion and display what their brand of leadership looks like, in Gambhir’s absence. It is a subtle test for India’s backroom strength—and perhaps a taste of the sort of decentralisation modern cricket requires.
Gautam Gambhir’s homecoming may appear to be a twist of fate, but it doesn’t halt India’s mission. It merely tests it. It is not infrequent that an uncontrollable deviation becomes the narrative of a tour. With an ambitious support staff, a different approach to leadership, and fresh players with enthusiasm ready to achieve, the base is still intact. Will this inconvenience disturb India’s plans, or will it simply enhance the eventual success?
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