India Test captain Shubman Gill is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for the upcoming red-ball challenge in New Zealand. In a unique move, the 26-year-old is reportedly planning to take four to five personal net bowlers on the tour and pay for their expenses himself, according to a news agency. These bowlers will train exclusively with him, making it an unusual step in a cricketer’s preparation.
Shubman Gill is expected to leave for New Zealand on October 23 or 24. However, he will miss the India A Test matches against New Zealand A because of his ODI commitments. Before heading overseas, he is also scheduled to represent Punjab in their Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh, which begins on October 18 in Mullanpur.
Travelling to New Zealand from India can be expensive but Shubman Gill appears willing to spend his own money to prepare specifically for Test cricket. Although the BCCI also provides net bowlers for practice, the Indian captain seems keen to work on particular aspects of his game with bowlers selected for his individual needs.
The Gujarat Titans captain has established himself as a star across all three formats. However, his approach to Test cricket reflects the importance he places on the longest format, much like one of his idols, Virat Kohli.
With the 2027 World Cup in Africa only months away, Shubman Gill is also expected to leave India’s ODI squad after the first three matches to focus on the upcoming Test series. KL Rahul and other Test regulars will also be given time to prepare for the red-ball format.
The scheduling makes this preparation particularly important. There are only four days between the fifth ODI and the first Test, prompting the BCCI to announce separate squads to provide Test specialists with sufficient preparation time.
Shubman Gill has consistently stressed the importance of preparing properly for Test cricket. According to reports, he has also raised the issue privately in discussions at the BCCI offices, advocating better preparation arrangements, including practice matches ahead of important series.
The challenge in New Zealand is expected to be particularly demanding for India. The team does not travel there as frequently for Test cricket and the playing conditions are significantly different from those in the subcontinent. Cooler weather and grass-covered pitches can offer assistance to seam bowlers, making batting more challenging.
By reportedly arranging his own group of specialist net bowlers from India, Shubman Gill is demonstrating his commitment to preparing for those conditions. His decision highlights how seriously he is taking his responsibilities as India’s Test captain ahead of a challenging overseas assignment.
That is next level seriousness by Shubman, isn’t it?
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