Gautam Gambhir: India star back for Essex promotion run-in

India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir will return for Essex's last three games of the season after a week of compassionate leave.

The 31-year-old missed last week's eight-wicket win over Worcestershire when he returned to India following a sudden family bereavement.

He will be available to face Kent at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Essex then face Glamorgan and Hampshire as they look to win promotion from the County Championship Division Two.

They currently have 159 points, 54 adrift of leaders Lancashire and 29 behind second-placed Northants - although Northants only have two fixtures remaining.

Gambhir had scored 137 runs in two Championship matches for Essex before his departure before his return home, but they included a century against Gloucestershire.