Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa praised Test captain Shubman Gill for his reported request to conduct 15-day training camps. The move came in the aftermath of India’s embarrassing 0–2 home whitewash against South Africa. Uthappa described the decision as an “insane” leadership call, stating that it reflected Gill’s intent to take responsibility and lead from the front.
The ex-India batter further emphasised that thorough preparation is crucial and stressed the importance of showing due respect to the demands of Test cricket.
“I think it is an insane call from a leader. There cannot be a better call than that. He is taking charge of Test cricket in that sense. It is very good. Before a Test series, a team needs a preparation of at least two weeks. We are playing Test series to win the WTC.”
“So to win that, we cannot win by just playing Test cricket. You have to plan, prepare, and build. You need to give that respect to Test cricket as a board and a team. I am very happy that he brought it up,” he said on his YouTube channel.
India currently sit sixth on the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 standings, having registered four victories from nine games. Their next assignment in the longest format will be a two-Test away series against Sri Lanka in August 2026.
Aakash Chopra Offers Advice To BCCI After Shubman Gill’s Reported Request
Meanwhile, former India batter Aakash Chopra echoed Shubman Gill’s reported call for 15-day preparatory camps ahead of Test series. Chopra even proposed that the BCCI consider trimming a few bilateral fixtures to carve out time for such camps, allowing the team to prepare more effectively.
“But if you look at the BCCI, we are a strong board and not financially dependent. We don’t need three extra games. So if we wish to prepare well, then we can create a window. Preparation has been integral. So if Gill is saying this, find a window, prepare a window.”
“It is unfortunate that you are jumping from one continent to another and playing different formats. The demands are also very different. If the preparation is not good and they fail, it’s a function of you not preparing well as well,” he said on ‘Backstage with Boria‘.
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