Shubman Gill Places Never Seen Before Demand In Front Of BCCI

Shubman Gill demanded extra match practice for India players [Source: AFP]

In a recent development, India Test captain Shubman Gill has proposed a demanding request to the Board of Control for Cricket in India ahead of the New Zealand and Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at home. 

India are currently in fifth position in the WTC standings, and as they look to make up for lost ground following their series win over Sri Lanka, Gill has suggested that India’s batters must be given quality match practice before the marquee Test series begin.

Shubman Gill urges for more game time before marquee Test matches

As reported by TOI, Shubman Gill may have suggested that Indian batters who are currently lacking form should be given proper practice on pitches offering a reasonable amount of turn against Australia 'A' during their India tour in Puducherry this month. 

However, there are considerable scheduling overlaps that could create problems and ultimately render Gill’s request unfeasible.

"Indian batters have not been at their best against spin at home over the last two years. Gill suggested that if a few batters could be given game time against Australia 'A', with the pitches taking some turn during the course of the matches, it would help them prepare for the BGT. 

Obviously, the touring Australian 'A' team won't be given absolute rank turners with an eye on the BGT, but it wouldn't hurt if the pitches took some turn later in the match," a BCCI source said.

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Why Gill's request can't be met by the BCCI

Shubman Gill's demand seems virtually impossible for the BCCI to meet, since the Apex Cricket Council has drawn up a schedule in which the second of the two four-day matches against Australia 'A' overlaps with the Irani Cup. 

At the same time, two separate India squads will be playing in the Asian Games and the three-match ODI series against the West Indies from late September to early October, further limiting the chances to feature against the 'A' side visitors.

Hence, this overlap leaves the selectors with little room to offer the Test players adequate red-ball preparation. The matches against Australia 'A' are scheduled for September 22 and September 29, while the Irani Cup will be played in Srinagar from October 1 to 5, overlapping with the last two days of the second IND 'A' vs AUS 'A' Test. 

"The problem with the schedule is that there will be very few Test players available for the 'A' match. Otherwise, the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup will not be as strong as the selectors would like it to be, and that could affect the standard of the match," the source added.

What is the most possible solution that BCCI can afford?

Sources reported that the team management and selectors are eager to release Test players from the white-ball squad after the New Zealand ODIs. They are expected to release players after the third ODI, which would give them sufficient time to prepare for the Test matches.

"The team management was asked to spell out its preparatory plans for the NZ series. Since so many matches have been packed into a tight schedule, a list of around 60 players was shared to get the visas ready. The selectors and the team management are in a difficult position as they work out a plan to prepare the players for the Test series," BCCI sources said.

Although Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir have been urging for at least 10 to 14 preparatory days before the marquee Test series, the best possible scenario for the players could be a few days of practice just ahead of the first match against New Zealand on November 19, 2026.

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