Kolkata: As the Indian cricket team gears up for the first Test against South Africa, captain Shubman Gill is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation. With the match scheduled to commence on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Gill has been seen putting himself through rigorous training sessions to fine-tune his technique and regain his rhythm.
Gill's intense preparation comes after a lean patch in white-ball cricket, where he managed just one score above fifty in eight innings during the limited-overs leg in Australia. Transitioning from the fatigue of white-ball cricket to the demands of Test cricket requires time and patience, and Gill appears determined to make the necessary adjustments.
On Tuesday, Gill spent nearly 90 minutes in an extended net session, focusing on his batting approach and technique. Before the net session, he was observed in a detailed discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak near the High Court end, seemingly reviewing his batting strategy.
During the net session, Gill initially faced spin bowlers Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, emphasizing playing along the ground with occasional sweeps. He then transitioned to facing pace bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and local net bowlers, who tested him with seam movement. Bowling coach Morne Morkel also bowled to Gill, closely monitoring his progress. To simulate the extra bounce and pace expected from South African bowlers, a support staff member used a sidearm to deliver throwdowns from height.
Following the extensive training session, Gill, along with Gautam Gambhir, Sitanshu Kotak, and Morne Morkel, gathered at the center wicket for a lengthy pitch inspection. They assessed the surface's firmness and engaged in a 15-minute discussion with curator Sujan Mukherjee. The team management appeared slightly concerned about the track's nature, which was described as brown with light patches of grass.
Despite his recent struggles in white-ball cricket, Gill has had a strong Test record. In the two home Tests against the West Indies last month, he scored a fifty and an unbeaten century. Overall, Gill has played 39 Test matches, scoring 2,839 runs at an average of 43.01, including 10 centuries and 8 half-centuries. His highest Test score is 269.
The South African team arrives in India with confidence after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month. Their experience in subcontinental conditions will pose a significant challenge to the Indian team. With India's new training kit displaying a hint of orange, Shubman Gill and the team seem ready to take on the Proteas in what promises to be a thrilling Test series.
