![Indian Test captain Shubman Gill [Source - AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793019559387_ShubmanGill(3).jpg?type=hq)
Indian Test captain Shubman Gill [Source - AFP]
Shubman Gill has made an early arrival to New Zealand. With Team India already in the middle of its five-match T20I series, and with still roughly 10 days remaining for the ODIs, the national skipper has already begun his preparations for the impending fixtures.
Notably, Gill was spotted training with the red-ball instead, thus indicating that his primary focus remains India’s upcoming two-match Test series in the country.
Shubman Gill begins Test preparations before ODI series itself
Indian captain Shubman Gill has commenced his preparation for India’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand. The senior cricketer made an early arrival to the country, and was spotted facing the red ball during a training session on Monday, October 26.
It is worth noting that the 27-year-old is also included in Team India squad for the forthcoming ODI series against the hosts. However, the prolific top-order batter will only play the first three ODIs of the five-match series in a bid to give him additional time to prepare for the subsequent two Tests next month.
Interestingly, Shubman Gill is not named in India A squad for the three-match unofficial Test series against New Zealand A between October 24 and November 10, even though the three aforementioned fixtures will serve as a testing ground for several Indian internationals like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal before the senior men’s Test series.
Why is New Zealand Test series important for Shubman Gill?
Shubman Gill was appointed as India’s Test captain back in mid-2025 last year after the resignation and retirement of Rohit Sharma. Under his leadership, Team India is currently struggling in race to secure a top two finish in the ongoing 2025-27 WTC cycle.
Since Gill is yet to play any Test cricket in New Zealand, the conditions in the country will likely pose a challenge for the senior Indian batter. Moreover, Team India has now gone 17 years since securing its last Test series success on New Zealand soil, making the impending series challenging for Gill even on the captaincy front.
The series, therefore, presents Gill with an important opportunity to not only strengthen his credentials as India’s Test captain but also establish himself as a dependable leader in challenging overseas conditions.
The two-match Test series will be played between November 19 and December 1 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve and Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
