Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, isn’t with the team right now. He had to fly home for a family emergency just before the intra-squad match that kicked off on Friday. This isn’t the first time he’s had to leave; he also went back during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for a family issue. According to PTI, he needed to return to New Delhi because his mother had a heart attack and is in the ICU. In his place, VVS Laxman is with the team. Laxman is linked to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, but a report from Cricbuzz says he doesn’t have any official role with the Indian team right now.

He’s there for another reason, not on any team assignment. He traveled to London from Switzerland, the report stated. Another insider mentioned, The goal is to win in England, and he might have chatted with the coaches and selectors and possibly watched the intra-squad game. But he’s not officially part of the team.

One source added that Laxman stopped in London to see the team as part of his overall plan after going to Switzerland. PTI reported that Gambhir is likely to return to England before the 1st Test in Leeds. His mother is improving, but she’s still in the ICU. If everything goes well, he should be back in the UK before the first Test starts on June 20.