Gautam Gambhir confirms return for decisive Adelaide Test
- Gautam Gambhir left for India on November 26 for personal reasons after India's victory in Perth.
- Abhishek Nayar assured the media of Gambhir's early return for the Adelaide Test match.
- India prepares for a crucial second Test against Australia with significant lineup changes.
In Australia, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir had to briefly leave the team for personal reasons after a significant victory where they surpassed the Australians by a record 295 runs in Perth on November 26, 2024. Abhishek Nayar, India's batting coach, later confirmed Gambhir's return, assuring the media that he would be back in time for the second Test match in Adelaide. While Gambhir was flying back, Team India was scheduled to play a warm-up match against the Prime Ministers XI on November 30 and December 1 in Canberra, a fixture that Gambhir would miss. The team received a significant boost with Gambhir’s return alongside Rohit Sharma, who was also absent from the Perth Test due to paternity leave. The availability of both coaches is seen as crucial as India nears its next competitive fixture on December 6. The preparation leading up to the Adelaide Test is particularly vital, as the team aims for a strong performance in light of their target to secure a place in the final of the World Test Championship. However, the team is also monitoring the potential impact of Shubman Gill's injured thumb, raising concerns about his fitness for the upcoming match, which could affect the line-up and overall strategy.