After white-ball supremacy, Gautam Gambhir has 'A' plan to bring back India's Test cricket glory, starting 5 months ahead of England tour
Gautam Gambhir is set to accompany the India 'A' team on their tour of England ahead of the senior team's five-Test series starting June 20, TOI's Arani Basu has reported.
This comes in the backdrop of Gambhir's aim to closely assess the reserve player pool during a period devoid of international fixtures for the Indian team.
With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) currently lacking a designated coach for developmental teams, it remains to be seen whether Gambhir will serve solely as an observer or if VVS Laxman, the BCCI's Head Cricket, will take on a more hands-on role. This marks a significant shift as it will be the first instance of a senior team coach traveling with the India 'A' squad.
Sources revealed that Gambhir has been actively developing a roadmap that spans across formats, focusing on preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, as well as the World Test Championship and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
«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,» a BCCI source told TOI.
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«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.
Despite Gambhir’s strategic approach, India's Test performance has faced challenges since he took over in July, with notable losses against New Zealand and Australia. Discussions among Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and Laxman have highlighted the need to revitalize India 'A' tours, which have dwindled since Rahul Dravid's tenure at the National Cricket Academy.
Gambhir's upcoming trip will also serve to evaluate
