June 16, 2025 - Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir will leave for England on June 16, where the team is preparing for the five-match Test series starting in Leeds from June 20. Gambhir's mother, Seema Gambhir, suffered a heart attack on June 11, after which he returned to India the very next day. Her condition is now stable, but she is still in the ICU.

Despite this situation, Gambhir has decided to go back. This shows how much the England tour means to him and how important national duty is for him.  In Gambhir’s absence, assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has led preparations so far.

Practice Match at Beckenham

India played a warm-up game against India A at Kent’s Beckenham ground. The match finished a day early after all rounds were completed. All-rounder Shardul Thakur marked the win with a century on June 15, giving the main squad confidence ahead of the first Test.

A Test for Young Leaders

This series is a big challenge for both new captain Shubman Gill and coach Gambhir. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now retired from Tests, India fields a young batting line-up led by Gill. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant will hold the middle order together. Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sudarshan earn their first Test call-ups, while veteran Karun Nair returns after eight years thanks to strong domestic form. Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Gill himself will carry the batting hopes. The pace attack will lean on Arshdeep, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

India’s Tough History in England

Touring England has long tested India’s skills. In 69 Tests so far on English soil, India has won only 9, lost 38, and drawn 22. The last series win came in 2007 under Rahul Dravid, when Zaheer Khan’s nine wickets at Lord’s sealed victory. India then lost in 2011, 2014, and 2018, with the 2021–22 series ending in a 2–2 draw.