Team India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill, has called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organize dedicated red-ball camps ahead of Test series to address the team’s ongoing struggles in the format. India recently suffered a 0-2 defeat to South Africa, marking their second home series loss within a year.
The Men in Blue have often entered Test series underprepared due to a congested schedule and a shortage of red-ball specialists. For example, Gill and his teammates began their home season with a two-match series against the West Indies just three days after completing the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE.
Similarly, their Test series against South Africa commenced only five days after a white-ball tour of Australia. In contrast, South Africa had the advantage of coming off a recent Test series in Pakistan, which allowed them to acclimatize to subcontinental conditions and be better prepared.
The Times of India reports that the BCCI has conducted informal discussions with selectors and the leadership group to analyze and address the recurring challenges in India’s Test performances.
“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.
BCCI Backs Shubman Gill To Shape India’s Test Team In WTC Cycle
With Gill gradually growing into the captaincy role he took over at the beginning of the 2025–27 World Test Championship following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, the BCCI is prepared to give the young leader the freedom to shape the side in line with 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’s tenure as captain got underway with a gritty 2-2 draw in England during the 2025 Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. The positive momentum carried on with a dominant clean sweep of the West Indies, but the subsequent 0-2 defeat to South Africa has dented India’s prospects in the World Test Championship midway through the cycle.
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