India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was spotted visiting the iconic Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata ahead of the Men in Blue’s first T20I against England on January 22. The match, part of a five-game series, will take place at Eden Gardens.
Gambhir shares a deep connection with Kolkata, having captained the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL from 2011 to 2017, leading them to two title victories.
He returned to the city in 2024 as KKR’s coach and guided them to their third championship. Beyond cricket, Gambhir holds a strong affinity for Kolkata’s cultural and spiritual heritage and often embraces its traditions during significant tours.
Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, India aims to regain their winning momentum in the T20I series.
The matches provide an excellent opportunity for the team to fine-tune strategies and build confidence ahead of upcoming challenges.
Following the T20Is, India will play a three-match ODI series against England. This will be their final 50-over assignment before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and Dubai.