Ahead of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, India captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir have revived an old team tradition — hosting a pre-match team dinner to foster unity and bonding within the squad.
According to sources, Gill hosted a team dinner on Sunday with the full squad in attendance. The aim was to strengthen camaraderie, especially with several new faces in the team. This gesture marks the return of a tradition that was notably absent during India’s recent tour of Australia under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
During that series, India's lack of team spirit and visible division in the camp had been criticized. Reports suggest Gambhir was unhappy with the fractured team dynamics during that time and is now keen to bring back unity and cohesion under the new leadership setup.
India lost the first Test in Leeds, and another defeat would leave them trailing 0-2 in the series. The team is under pressure to deliver a comeback performance.
A major talking point ahead of the match is the possible resting of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Gill said during the pre-match conference:
"Jasprit Bumrah is available. We’re trying to find the right combination to pick 20 wickets and score runs. A final call will be taken after assessing the pitch."
He added:
“We have a massive talent pool. The others are here because of their performances. Competing away from home is difficult, but not impossible.”
By reinstating old team-building customs, Gill and Gambhir are signaling a shift in leadership approach — prioritizing unity, morale, and collective focus, especially in overseas conditions where challenges are steeper.
