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Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, is set to rejoin the squad in Adelaide on Tuesday, ahead of the second Test match between India and Australia. The match is scheduled to begin on December 6th and will be a pink-ball Test.
Gambhir Returns to the Team After Personal Leave
According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Gambhir had returned to India for personal reasons after the first Test against Australia in Perth. However, he is now en route back to Australia and will join the team in Adelaide. Gambhir was present with the team during the first Test but missed the practice match against the Australia Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.
Assistant Coaches Stepped In During Gambhir's Absence
While Gambhir was away, the team’s assistant coaches—Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morné Morkel—took charge of the training sessions. Despite the rain-affected practice match, India managed to secure a six-wicket victory, with several senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, participating in the match.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill's Return to the Team
Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child, has now rejoined the team. During the first Test, Jasprit Bumrah captained the team in Rohit's absence, and India won by a massive 295-run margin.
Shubman Gill, who was also absent from the first Test due to injury, has recovered and showcased his form with a half-century in the practice match. His return gives the Indian team a boost in their batting lineup.
Team Selection and Combination Challenges
With the return of Rohit and Gill, the Indian team management faces a challenge in finalizing the playing XI. In their absence, players like Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal were included in the playing XI. However, in the practice match, Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the innings, with Rohit later coming in at number four. The team management will need to decide whether to stick with this combination or make changes before the second Test.
What to Expect in the Second Test
As the second Test approaches, the Indian team will look to build on their solid performance in the first match. With Gambhir rejoining the team and key players like Rohit and Gill back in the fold, India will be aiming for another strong performance in the Adelaide Test.
