India’s Test skipper Shubman Gill admitted that he is “still trying to figure out how to balance” playing across all three formats as he prepares to lead the team in the upcoming Test series against South Africa, following the white-ball tour of Australia.
After completing the limited-overs leg in Australia, India now shift focus to the all-format home series against South Africa, which begins with the first Test at Eden Gardens on November 14. Gill, who leads both the Test and ODI sides, is among the few players juggling across formats, sparking discussions about his workload management.
Addressing the media ahead of the opening Test, Gill said, “I’m still trying to figure out how to balance playing across three formats. Since the Asia Cup, it’s been a packed schedule, playing back-to-back matches and constantly switching formats. I’m still learning what works best for me in terms of performance and consistency.”
“The challenge is more mental than physical. Of course, there’s jet lag and travel fatigue, but physically I feel completely fine. It’s more about staying mentally sharp. It’s a good challenge, and also a great learning curve for me.
“Turning around in just 4–5 days, coming from a different country and shifting formats — that’s mentally challenging. The body needs to adapt, and playing Test cricket in India brings its own unique challenges. But as professional cricketers, how we respond to those challenges is what defines us,” the 26-year-old added.
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also acknowledged the demands of Gill’s schedule but expressed confidence in his ability to manage the transitions effectively.
“It’s super challenging. You see less and fewer guys playing all three formats. Mentally, when you take a challenge like that you need a roadmap on how to go about things. Shubi (Shubman Gill) as an example has been very good,” ten Doeschate said on Wednesday.
Though South Africa have not won a Test in India since 2010, Gill remains cautious of the reigning World Test Champions. India, fresh from a home series victory over the West Indies, face a confident South African side that recently drew 1-1 with Pakistan.
“These two Test matches are very important. To play the WTC final, we need to do well here. South Africa are a strong side – they’ve won the WTC – so it won’t be easy. We know there will be difficult moments, but as a team, we’ve shown that we can handle those situations well,” Gill said.
Fortunate to have quality all-rounders
Echoing head coach Gautam Gambhir’s views on the selection dilemma, Gill said the presence of numerous quality all-rounders in the squad makes it difficult for the team management to decide whom to leave out.
Earlier, in a video shared by the BCCI, Gambhir had described the conversations he has with in-form players who miss out on selection as one of the most difficult aspects of his role as head coach.
With the team gearing up for the first Test against the Proteas, all eyes are on the composition of the side that takes the field at Eden Gardens on Friday. While Gill didn’t reveal the Playing XI, he acknowledged that selecting the first XI is the most challenging part.
“We’re really fortunate to have the kind of quality all-rounders we do. All of them have strong batting and bowling records, especially in Indian conditions,” Gill said.
“As a captain, it’s always difficult to decide who to leave out, but that’s a good problem to have. It makes for an exciting Test ahead. South Africa played really well in their last series, which they drew, and that’s why they are the reigning champions. It’s going to be a good, competitive series,” he added.
Eden Gardens is set to host a Test for the first time in six years, with India’s 2019 series against Bangladesh being the last red-ball game played here. Gill has fond memories of Kolkata, having begun his Indian Premier League career at this venue with the Kolkata Knight Riders but yet to play a Test at the venue.
“I have a lot of good memories here. My IPL career started at this ground, and every time I come here, it feels a bit like playing at the PCA Stadium in Punjab. The last Test we played here was a pink-ball match (in 2019), I was not in the playing XI , but was in the squad, so this will be my first Test at Eden Gardens and it’s always a big honour to lead the country here,” he said.