Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has lauded Gautam Gambhir for his proactive planning, particularly as reports suggest the India head coach is taking early measures to prepare for the demanding England tour. Sidhu took to social media to commend Gambhir’s meticulous approach, emphasizing that the upcoming five-Test series in England could be one of his biggest challenges yet.
Given the tough early-season conditions, India’s highly anticipated tour of England, running from June 20 to August 5, will be a stern test. As a build-up, India A is set to play three four-day matches against local teams in the UK. Many Test regulars are expected to be part of this squad, ensuring they get valuable exposure to English conditions before the main series begins.
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The A squad’s tour will commence immediately after the conclusion of IPL 2025. In a bold and unprecedented move, Gambhir is reportedly planning to travel with the A team—a decision that breaks away from convention. Typically, India A tours are overseen by National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches, with figures like VVS Laxman leading these assignments.
However, Gambhir has approached the BCCI for approval to accompany the team, as he seeks to analyze the conditions firsthand and assess India’s reserve players before the senior side’s arrival. If sanctioned, this would mark a significant shift in how India prepares for overseas challenges, reinforcing Gambhir’s hands-on approach.
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Sidhu, known for his sharp cricketing insights, highlighted the importance of early preparation, stating, “The toughest challenge for @GautamGambhir will be playing England in the first half of the English season—juicy, damp pitches with lateral movement and swing make it a bowler’s paradise.” He further praised Gambhir’s foresight, adding, “Wanting to go there with the India A team is about preventing and preparing rather than repenting and repairing—forethought wins in life and chess.”
Toughest challenge for @GautamGambhir will be playing England in the first half of the English season in test matches – juicy damp pitches offer lateral movement of the pitch and swing due to resistance in the air … wanting to go there with the India A is preventing and… https://t.co/VQvk9XxBOz
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) March 12, 2025
Gambhir’s commitment comes after a turbulent 2024-25 Test season for India. The team endured a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand, followed by a 1-3 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. These results raised questions about his leadership in red-ball cricket. However, India’s Champions Trophy triumph bolstered his standing in white-ball formats.
As Gambhir prepares for this crucial assignment, the England series will be a defining moment in his coaching tenure, testing both his strategic acumen and the resilience of the Indian team.
