BCCI Sends Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Staff Away From India's T20I Team

BCCI sends Gautam Gambhir's staff away from T20I team [Source: AFP]

The India vs England T20Is haven’t gone the way the Men in Blue needed. However, the three-match ODI series is around the corner, and the team with veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be hungry to take revenge on the hosts, who last lost an ODI to India back in 2022.

Adding to the prep, the BCCI have sent in a number of staff members of head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the fifth T20I on July 11 to better hone the players for the ODI series that is starting from July 14.

Coaching Staff sent to Birmingham for ODI practice

Gautam Gambhir’s trusted men, throw-down specialist Daya, fielding coach T Dilip and spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, have been sent to Birmingham, where India will play the first ODI against England.

The professionals have been the backbone of the cricket team for a long time, and the extra attention will add to the preparation strategy of the Indian cricket team.

The last T20I match will be played at Rose Bowl Southampton, and the remainder of the coaching staff has been sent to that destination for preparation for the final T20I series.

For the unaware, India is currently trailing 3-0 vs England in the series, with the first match being washed out. With only the final T20I left, the Men in Blue can only play to salvage their pride against the Three White Lions.

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Why were Bahutule and T Dilip specifically sent to Birmingham?

T Dilip has been a prominent part of the Indian cricket team since 2021. The professional has worked with cricketers like Shubman Gill in the past and had his contract extended at the behest of Rohit Sharma. Initially entering under the Rahul Dravid era, he has also built a solid rapport with Gautam Gambhir too.

Under his tenure, the Indian cricket team have flourished with their fielding efforts and ethics, which also reflected in Suryakumar Yadav’s memorable boundary catch that won India the T20 World Cup 2024 tournament.

Sairaj Bahutule has been a relatively new appointment under coach Gautam Gambhir. The spin mentor has been appointed in the month of June 2026, and his arrival in Birmingham would signify the fact that spin strength will be tested in the three-match series.

When will the ODI practice begin?

As per a report from RevSportz, the ODI practice is set to begin on July 11. As the Shreyas Iyer-led team will play the final T20I, Rohit Sharma, who has already arrived in England, alongside other senior players, will start their practice from tomorrow.

How have India Performed In ODIs against England?

Surprisingly, India has a solid track record against England in ODIs. The Men in Blue have outplayed the English with 61 wins from 110 matches, and England has won only 44 matches. 

Unfortunately, on English soil, India has registered only 18 ODI wins from 45 matches at a W/L ratio of 0.782. However, Virat Kohli, who is currently in the squad, has been the highest run-getter against England (among active players) with 1397 runs from 38 matches at an average of 41.08. 

Hence, a tough fight is expected in Edgbaston with Rohit Sharma as a key player to watch too with 846 runs against the team under his belt.

Also Read- No Tilak Varma? India's Predicted Playing XI For 5th T20I Vs England 2026