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Navjot Singh Sidhu is known for his jolly comments and honest analysis amongst the cricketing world. The world saw a glimpse of his admiration for the Indian team with his commentary throughout the Champions Trophy 2025. However, now the former Indian player has pointed out a towering challenge in front of the head coach of the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir. The challenge, according to Sidhu, could be the biggest of Gambhir’s coaching career till now.
India’s next big challenge: The long and arduous tour to England
After the excitement and thrill of the Indian Premier League (IPL) had settled in, the Indian team is set to go on a 5-match Test tour of England where they will be thoroughly tested in the longest format of the game after the series loss against Australia.
According to Sidhu, the English conditions will be the toughest challenge for Gambhir in his coaching career till date considering the help English pitches provide to pacers. In a recent social media post, Sidhu appreciated the fact that Gambhir is willing to travel with the India A team to England before the series to have a look at the options available at his disposal.
“Toughest challenge for @GautamGambhir will be playing England in the first half of the English season in test matches – juicy damp pitches offer lateral movement of the pitch and swing due to resistance in the air … wanting to go there with the India A is preventing and preparing rather than repenting and repairing – forethought wins , in life and Chess,” Sidhu said.
India A are scheduled to play a series of 3 four-day matches against the England Lions in preparation for India’s upcoming tour of England, which kicks off on June 20. While the exact dates for these fixtures have yet to be confirmed, they are expected to take place between the conclusion of the IPL on May 25 and the beginning of the Test series.
Also Watch: Navjot Singh Sidhu and Gautam Gambhir perform ‘bhangra’ to express their joy after India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph
The high-stakes England tour marks the beginning of next WTC cycle for India
The 5-match Test series against England will mark the beginning of the next World Test Championship Cycle (WTC) cycle for India. The series will commence at Leeds, Headingley, and conclude at The Oval in Kennington.
After their two successive appearances in the WTC final, the Indian team failed to qualify this time around. India received a humiliating series white-wash against New Zealand and a 1-3 thrashing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia meant that their chances of playing in the WTC final drew to a close. In the upcoming WTC cycle, India will play against England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka on away tours while host Australia, West Indies and South Africa at home.
