India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will be absent for the upcoming two-day tour game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, starting on November 30. ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Gambhir has left the team to attend to personal matters in India. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has assured that Gambhir will return in time for the Adelaide Test, which will be a day-night fixture, scheduled to begin on December 6.
During Gambhir’s absence, the team will be led by assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel. The trio will collectively manage the Indian squad for the duration of the tour game, which is set to be played with the pink Kookaburra ball, marking an important lead-up to the next Test match.
India heads into the tour match with a 1-0 lead in the series against Australia, having staged a remarkable recovery after their crushing 3-0 defeat at home to New Zealand. The team’s strong performance has been buoyed by key contributions from players like KL Rahul, who has been in excellent form after returning to the top of the order, and Rohit Sharma, who rejoined the squad after paternity leave ahead of the second Test.
Rohit’s return raises questions about the team’s selection for the Adelaide Test, particularly in the batting department. Rahul’s successful reintegration into the top order, combined with Shubman Gill’s possible return from injury, could lead to some tough decisions regarding the lineup. Gill, who missed the Perth Test due to a fractured thumb, is still in recovery, and there has been no update on his fitness. It is likely he will miss the tour game, with regular assessments continuing as India prepares for the Adelaide Test.
As India looks to strengthen its position in the series, the absence of Gambhir is a temporary setback, but the coaching staff remains confident in the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead.