India vs England: Gautam Gambhir set to return soon, role of Laxman remains unclear

In a positive update for the Indian camp, their head coach is set for a timely return to England before the Test series starts at Headingley. Right before the Indian camp engaged in the final dress rehearsal for the India vs England series, Gautam Gambhir went back to India. The Indian head coach headed home as his mother suffered health issues. Meanwhile, the camp set at Beckenham played the intra-squad match, with mainstays like Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah in action for the India squad. Now, with the intra-squad fixture completed, the five-match Test series comes next. However, before India takes on the challenge, Gambhir will take the reins of the squad back.

VVS Laxman sighted in the Indian camp during intra-squad match amid Gambhir's absence

Gautam Gambhir returned to India on Thursday as he left the camp set up in Beckenham for the warm-up match between India A and the India squad. In Gambhir's absence, former Indian cricketer, VVS Laxman was sighted at the Kent Cricket County during the intra-squad match. Laxman’s unexpected presence in Beckenham stirred quite a buzz, especially Gambhir’s absence. Gautam Gambhir had flown back to India that very day due to personal reasons, prompting speculation that Laxman might be stepping in temporarily. 

Currently heading the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Laxman had earlier been touted as the frontrunner to succeed Rahul Dravid in the head coach role. Given his experience and the number of times he has stepped in as an interim coach over the past two years, Laxman seemed a natural fit to fill the gap left by Gambhir, at least temporarily. However, a recent report has clarified that Laxman isn’t in England in any official capacity.

"He has gone there for some other purpose, not on any assignment with the Indian team. He travelled to London from Lausanne," a BCCI source reportedly informed. "He went to Switzerland and simply stopped by in London to spend time with the boys. It was always part of his plan."

While the former interim coach did interact with players and may have exchanged a few words with the coaching staff during the intra-squad match, the report underlined that his involvement didn’t go beyond that. It further noted that Laxman is expected to depart from England shortly.

"The target is to win in England, and he may have spoken to the coaches and selectors present here, and perhaps even attended the intra-squad game. But he holds no official role with this team."

Meanwhile, Gambhir’s mother’s health has reportedly improved, and the head coach is now expected to rejoin the squad before the opening India vs England Test at Leeds on June 20. The report informed that Gambhir might rejoin as early as Monday, with his return before the first Test said to be a certainty. The intra-squad match, which featured standout centuries from Shardul Thakur and Sarfaraz Khan, concluded on Monday, wrapping up three days of practice games in Kent. The Indian contingent is scheduled for a rest day on June 16 before making their way to Headingley on Tuesday.