Gautam Gambhir watches daughter Aazeen play tennis ahead of India-Afghanistan series
Synopsis
Between the IPL finale and a packed international schedule, India head coach Gautam Gambhir found a rare quiet moment — watching daughter Aazeen play tennis at DLTA and quipping he enjoyed 'a match without coaching the player.' The brief respite ends fast: India face Afghanistan in a four-day Test from 6 June, the first step in their Cricket World Cup 2027 build-up.
Key Takeaways
Gautam Gambhir watched daughter Aazeen play tennis at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) on 1 June .
He shared a Facebook video captioned: 'It's good to see a match without coaching the player!' Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won a second consecutive IPL title on Sunday, ending the domestic break.
India face Afghanistan in a one-off four-day Test in New Chandigarh from 6 June , followed by three ODIs from 13 June .
Jasprit Bumrah has been rested; Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya 's participation is subject to BCCI fitness clearance.
The series forms part of India's early build-up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 , co-hosted by South Africa , Zimbabwe , and Namibia .
India head coach Gautam Gambhir took a rare break from cricket duties on 1 June to watch his elder daughter Aazeen play tennis at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA), sharing that he relished the experience of watching a match free from the pressures of coaching. The moment offered a glimpse of the coach unwinding before a packed international schedule resumes for Team India.
The Family Moment That Caught Attention
Gambhir posted a video on Facebook showing him tying Aazeen's shoelaces courtside before settling on the sidelines to watch her play. In the caption, he wrote: 'It's good to see a match without coaching the player!' The post resonated widely, offering a candid look at the man behind the coaching role.
The Break in Context
The downtime comes after a demanding stretch of international cricket. The T20 World Cup 2026 concluded on 8 March, following which Indian players dispersed to their respective franchises for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the IPL now wrapped up — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifting a second consecutive title on Sunday — attention shifts firmly back to national duty.
What Lies Ahead for Team India
Gambhir will rejoin the squad as the Shubman Gill-led side travels to New Chandigarh for a one-off four-day Test against Afghanistan, beginning 6 June. The two nations will then contest three ODIs starting 13 June, with both sides using the series as early preparation for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup scheduled for next year. The tournament is set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Squad Highlights and Key Selections
Gill continues as captain across both formats. KL Rahul has been named vice-captain for the one-off Test, while Shreyas Iyer returns to the ODI set-up as Gill's deputy. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to manage his workload following an intensive run of cricket. Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — both of whom recently reaffirmed their commitment to playing in the Cricket World Cup 2027 — have been included in the ODI squad, though Rohit and Hardik Pandya's availability is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI.
Looking Ahead
With the World Cup cycle now firmly under way, every bilateral series carries added weight for selection and form. Gambhir's brief family interlude signals the end of the IPL break; the coaching pressure returns in earnest when India take the field in New Chandigarh on 6 June.
Point of View
India's ODI depth — and Gambhir's squad management — faces an early test before the bigger stakes arrive in 2027.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Gautam Gambhir watch his daughter Aazeen play tennis?
Gambhir watched Aazeen play at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) in New Delhi on 1 June. He shared a Facebook video of the outing, captioning it: 'It's good to see a match without coaching the player!'
When does India play Afghanistan next?
India face Afghanistan in a one-off four-day Test in New Chandigarh beginning 6 June 2026, followed by three ODIs starting 13 June. Both series are part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 preparation cycle.
Who is captaining India for the Afghanistan series?
Shubman Gill leads India across both formats. KL Rahul is vice-captain for the Test, while Shreyas Iyer serves as Gill's ODI deputy.
Why has Jasprit Bumrah been rested?
Bumrah has been left out for workload management reasons following a demanding stretch of international and IPL cricket. The BCCI has been carefully monitoring his schedule given his importance to India's World Cup plans.
Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli part of the Afghanistan squad?
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been selected for the ODI series against Afghanistan. However, Rohit and Hardik Pandya's participation is conditional on receiving fitness clearance from the BCCI.
