With a three-month break in India’s international cricket calendar, head coach Gautam Gambhir is wasting no time in preparing for the eagerly awaited five-Test series in England, beginning in late June.
### Gambhir Eyes the England Challenge
Gambhir has made an unconventional decision to join the India ‘A’ team on their England tour, ahead of the main squad’s arrival on June 20. This move breaks from tradition, as the BCCI usually entrusts coaching responsibilities for India ‘A’ and U-19 teams to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches. By choosing to be part of the developmental squad’s journey, Gambhir shows his intent to personally evaluate the reserve players and gain deeper insights into the talent pipeline. It’s yet to be confirmed if his role will be purely observational or if he’ll take on active coaching duties alongside NCA head VVS Laxman.
Reports suggest that Gambhir has been deeply involved in strategic planning, crafting a two-year plan across all cricket formats, with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. This plan also includes goals for the World Test Championship and the 2026 T20 World Cup. “Gambhir has been discussing strategies with the BCCI since his return from Australia. He wants to join the India ‘A’ team to get a closer look at the reserve talent,” a BCCI official told Times of India.
“As India clinched the Champions Trophy after Gambhir’s push for surprise selections, it’s likely we’ll see him taking more bold steps in the future,” the source added. This is especially timely, as India’s Test cricket performance has encountered hurdles since Gambhir took charge.
### Evaluation of Emerging Test Talent
Gambhir, alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar, is prioritizing the revival of India ‘A’ tours. “Reviving these tours is critical. Since Dravid left the NCA, there have been only a few ‘A’ series, mainly meant as preparation for major series. Gambhir believes more ‘A’ tours are essential, which is why he wants a hands-on understanding of the current state,” the source explained.
The ‘A’ tour is pivotal for assessing players who could potentially join the Test squad. There’s also a possibility that some established players will participate to better gauge their current form. The focus will be on finding a stable reserve opener to address the inconsistent Test performances of captain Rohit Sharma, as well as bolstering the middle-order. Players such as Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Shardul Thakur will be in the spotlight.
The results from the India ‘A’ tour will be crucial in formulating India’s strategy for the upcoming Test series against England.
