Delhi, December 3, 2024 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau)– Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, has flown out of India to rejoin the touring party in Australia ahead of the upcoming pink-ball Test, set to begin in Adelaide on December 6. As per ESPNCricinfo, the former India batter will join the visitors squad on Tuesday. Earlier, the India head coach had flown back home due to personal reasons.
Gambhir recently missed India’s two-day pink-ball practice match against Australia Prime Minister’s XI, which the tourists eventually won by six wickets. The practice game at Manuka Oval, Canberra was reduced to a one-day after rain washed out Day 1.
Speaking about the practice match, India had no difficulty in chasing down 241 in the 46-overs-per-side contest as Shubman Gill played a 50-run knock, on his return from injury. KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, all made impactful contributions with the bat.
The India head coach had flown back to India following the conclusion of the Perth Test, which the visitors managed to win by 295 runs under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah.
In the absence of Gambhir, the rest of the support staff comprising Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel had overseen the training ahead of the practice match against Prime Minister’s XI.
Tough selection calls await Gambhir
Tough selection calls await Gautam Gambhir as India finally has a full squad to select from. Skipper Rohit Sharma is back and he is set to lead India in Adelaide. Rohit is expected to replace Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI for the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Summary: Gautam Gambhir returns to Australia to tackle key decisions on the batting order ahead of the pink-ball Test.
