Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir is making a strong statement ahead of India’s highly anticipated five-match Test series against England. In a strategic move, Gambhir has decided to accompany the India A team on their England tour this June, aiming to get a closer look at the reserve talent pool before the senior team takes the field from June 20 to August 4.
Reports suggest that Gambhir has been in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ever since he returned from Australia. A BCCI source revealed, “Gambhir has been in discussions with the BCCI since he returned from Australia. He has expressed his desire to travel with the India ‘A’ team to get a clearer view of the reserve pool.” The same source further emphasized Gambhir’s growing influence, stating, “With India winning the Champions Trophy after Gambhir’s insistence for certain wild card players, one may expect him to assert more in the future.”
Having taken over from Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach in July 2025, Gambhir’s tenure so far has been a mixed bag, with only three victories out of ten Test matches. Recognizing the need for a stronger Test setup, he has teamed up with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman to discuss ways to revive India’s talent pipeline for the longest format of the game.
One major concern highlighted in these discussions is the need to reinstate regular India A tours, which have significantly reduced since Dravid’s departure from the NCA. “One of the crucial issues identified is reviving India ‘A’ tours. There have been only a handful of ‘A’ series after Dravid left NCA, and all of those were shadow tours for a marquee series. Gautam 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 explained.
During this crucial A tour, the Indian team management is expected to assess a mix of young and senior players, potentially fielding some experienced cricketers in the ‘A’ series to gauge their form ahead of the high-stakes Test battle. With Gambhir personally overseeing the proceedings, the move could prove to be a game-changer for India’s Test squad, ensuring they step into the England series with a well-prepared and battle-ready team.
