Team India Test Skipper Shubman Gill has called for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organise red-ball camps before going into Test series to deal with the Men in Blue’s struggle while playing across three formats. The side had surrendered 0-2 to South Africa in its previous home series, also during the last year.
In the midst of a demanding international schedule and with no red-ball specialists playing regularly, India may have found themselves underprepared for a Test series or two. For example, Shubman Gill and Co. began their home season by hosting a short two-match Test series against West Indies just three days after they had finished their 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE.
Equally, their Test series began only five days after a white-ball leg in Australia during the October-November window. The opposition, on the other hand, had come straight from a Test series in Pakistan which turned out to be ideal preparation as they seemed far more accustomed to subcontinent conditions by then.
As per a report in The Times of India, the BCCI recently conducted a few informal meetings with the selectors and senior members of the leadership group to get to the bottom of this undesirable trend that has appeared to be developing for some time now in Test cricket.
“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.
With Gill gradually settling into his captaincy post, which he took at the start of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) in June following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, the BCCI is willing to let the youthful skipper shape the team according to his vision.
“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.
Shubman Gill began his captaincy tenure with a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England at the 2025 Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. India then carried that momentum forward by completing a clean sweep of the West Indies. However, a 0-2 defeat to South Africa midway through the cycle has now put the team’s World Cup chances under threat.
BCCI eyeing VVS Laxman to arrange red-ball camps in CoE upon Gill’s request
The BCCI has acknowledged that the heavy white-ball workload makes it nearly impossible to conduct red-ball camps with the first-team coaching staff, as the schedules often clash.
However, the governing body believes the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, along with head of cricket VVS Laxman and the support staff, offers a viable alternative to support the captain’s case.
“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.
The next red ball assignment for Team India is a two-match series against Sri Lanka away from home in August 2026. The Shubman Gill-led side is now sixth in the WTC Standings after nine Tests.
