With a three-month hiatus in India’s international cricket schedule, head coach Gautam Gambhir is already laying the groundwork for the highly anticipated five-Test series in England, commencing in late June.
Gambhir Gambhir sets sights on England tour
In a move aimed at bolstering India’s Test cricket fortunes, Gambhir has decided to accompany the India ‘A’ team on their tour of England, preceding the senior team’s arrival on June 20.
This decision marks a departure from established practices, as the BCCI typically rotates coaches from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) pool for India ‘A’ and U-19 assignments. Gambhir’s presence alongside the developmental squad signifies his commitment to firsthand assessment of the reserve pool and a comprehensive understanding of the talent pipeline. The exact nature of his role – whether as an observer or in a more active coaching capacity, alongside NCA head VVS Laxman remains to be seen.
According to reports, Gambhir has been actively engaged in strategic discussions, formulating a two-year roadmap across all formats, culminating in the 2027 ODI World Cup. This ambitious plan also encompasses the World Test Championship and the 2026 T20 World Cup. “Gambhir has been in discussions with the BCCI since his return from Australia. He has expressed his desire to travel with the India ‘A’ team to get a clearer view of the reserve pool,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying to Times of India .
“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 added. This assertion comes at a crucial juncture, as India’s Test cricket standing has faced challenges since Gambhir assumed his role.
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Evaluation of potential Test squad members
Gambhir, alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar, has identified the revitalization of India ‘A’ tours as a key priority. “One of the crucial issues identified is reviving India ‘A’ tours. There have been only a handful ‘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 firsthand,” the source elaborated.
The ‘A’ tour will serve as a platform for evaluating potential Test squad members, with senior players potentially participating to assess their form. Key areas of focus include identifying a reliable reserve opener, given the fluctuating Test form of captain Rohit Sharma, and strengthening the middle-order. Players like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur will be under scrutiny.
The outcome of the India ‘A’ tour will play a significant role in shaping India’s strategy for the upcoming five-Test series against England.
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