Gautam Gambhir to host Shubman Gill and Co. for dinner before second West Indies Test in New Delhi

Gautam Gambhir to host Shubman Gill and Co. for dinner before second West Indies Test in New Delhi (PTI Photo)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir will welcome Shubman Gill and the rest of the Indian Test team with a special dinner at his home in New Delhi on Wednesday. India are scheduled to play the second and final Test against the West Indies, which starts at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 10.

News agency ANI reported that the event, which is scheduled as an outside meal in Gambhir's garden area, will be a casual team-bonding activity. But the dinner is weather-dependent, and if it rains in the capital, it might be canceled.

Following his appointment as India's head coach last year, this is one of Gambhir's first such actions. Despite his reputation for being tough on the field, Gambhir is eager to foster teamwork and togetherness off it, particularly with a young team going through a transition.

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After an innings and 140-run victory over the West Indies in the first Test in Ahmedabad, India lead 1-0 going into the Delhi Test.

India put on a polished all-around display in the opening Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium. West Indies, who batted first, were bowled out for 162, with Jasprit Bumrah (3/42) and Mohammed Siraj (4/40) running the show.

India responded by declaring their first innings at 448/5, powered by hundreds from Ravindra Jadeja (104*), Dhruv Jurel (125) and KL Rahul (100). For his all-round excellence in his first game as the Indian Test team's vice-captain, Jadeja was named Player of the Match. He also claimed eight wickets in the match.

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India wrapped the contest in three days as the West Indies did not fare any better in the second innings, scoring just 146 runs.

West Indies will now try to prevent a whitewash, while India will want to complete a perfect sweep and solidify their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 rankings. With three victories, one draw, and two defeats, India are presently ranked third in the WTC standings.