VVS Laxman to lead India's preparations for 1st Test in Gambhir's absence: Report

VVS Laxman is reportedly set to oversee India's preparations ahead of the first Test against England after head coach, Gautam Gambhir had to fly back home due to a family emergency.

According to a report from Revsportz, the former Indian cricketer, who is now the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (COE), is already in London as part of the India Under-19's tour of the United Kingdom. His junior team will be taking part in five List A games which are set to begin on June 27, followed by two first class as well, set to be played in Beckenham and Chelmsford, later next month.

Laxman had been involved with the first-team previously when a second-string side was sent to South Africa to take part in a T20I series.

Gautam Gambhir had to travel back after his mother reportedly suffered a heart attack on June 11. Earlier Gambhir had to return back from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year as well due to a family emergency.

Questions were asked about his ability to coach the



Test side following defeats to New Zealand at home and Australia away, which resulted in the side missing out on the spot in the World Test Championship final as well. However, the former cricketer has proven his credentials in the white-ball format, having led India to the Champions Trophy title in 2025 alongside creating a refreshed T20I side under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav.

The team began their final leg of preparations with an intra-squad game where the likes of KL Rahul and Shubman Gill scored fifties on the opening day, followed by Sarfaraz Khan's quickfire century to keep himself in the running for a spot in the side.

The tour will be the start of a new era where Shubman Gill will begin his journey as Test captain, and he will need all the support he can get as they face a tough task of facing England on their home turf.

The side will hope that Gambhir can rejoin the squad as soon as possible. India Today had previously learnt that the head coach is set to return on June 17, three days before the first Test in Headingley.