After India’s whitewash in the two-match Test series against South Africa at home, Shubman Gill has taken an active role in addressing the team’s red-ball struggles.
The Test captain has proposed better preparation methods, asking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organise red-ball training camps.
India suffered a 0-2 defeat against South Africa, marking their second home Test whitewash in the span of one year, following a 0-3 loss to New Zealand in 2024. The setbacks have raised issues, with a packed schedule and a shortage of red-ball specialists leaving the team underprepared heading into the Test series.
Tight Scheduling Leaves India Underprepared for Tests Under Shubman Gill
The Indian team has often moved straight from white-ball cricket into Test series with very little gap. India began their home season with a two-match Test series against the West Indies just three days after finishing the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE. The players had almost no time to switch back to red-ball cricket.
The same issue came up before the South Africa series. India started the Tests only five days after returning from a white-ball tour of Australia. In contrast, South Africa arrived after playing a Test series in Pakistan, which helped them adjust well to subcontinent conditions.
Shubman Gill’s captaincy started with a 2-2 draw in England during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India then completed a clean sweep against the West Indies. However, the 0-2 home loss to South Africa has hurt India’s position midway through the World Test Championship cycle.
BCCI Holds Key Meetings as Shubman Gill Set to Get Bigger Role in Test Team Planning
The BCCI held informal discussions with selectors and the team leadership, according to a report by The Times of India. Shubman Gill pushed for better preparation before the Test series and suggested 15-day red-ball camps ahead of each Test assignment.
“Gill was very clear that the team needed better preparation before going into a Test series. There was an issue with the itinerary this season where the team didn’t have much time to prepare. Gill recommended to the Board that it would be ideal if there were 15-day red-ball camps before a Test series,” a BCCI source told TOI.
The BCCI is now open to giving him greater influence over planning and team-building. With the Test and ODI teams now under his charge, the board feels it is important for the young captain to have a bigger voice as India look to rebuild in the longest format.
“Gill is showing assertive qualities now. He is presenting his vision to the selectors and BCCI with a lot more clarity. It augurs well for Indian cricket as there is a need for a strong captain after Rohit Sharma. The Test and ODI teams are Gill’s. It is important for him to have a bigger say,” the source added.
BCCI Eyes Centre of Excellence as Red-Ball Camp Solution Amid Scheduling Challenges
The BCCI acknowledged that running red-ball camps with the full national coaching staff is difficult due to the heavy white-ball schedule. However, the board is considering the Centre of Excellence, led by VVS Laxman, and its support staff as a viable option to help with red-ball preparation.
“There may be instances where Gambhir will be busy with white-ball teams even as there may be a Test series approaching. The Board may use the services of CoE cricket head VVS Laxman to organise red-ball camps,” the source further stated.
India will next play Test cricket in August 2026, when they tour Sri Lanka for a two-match away series. Shubman Gill will lead the side in the red-ball assignment.
After nine Tests in the current cycle, India are at sixth in the World Test Championship standings and will look to improve their position.