Home
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate remarked that though most players do not play across all the formats as it is incredibly challenging, Shubman Gill has decided to take up the challenge. The 25-year-old has constantly featured in matches for the Men in Blue across all formats and this has led to a lot of discussions regarding his workload.
Notably, Gill is India's captain in both the ODI, T20I formats and is also Suryakumar Yadav's deputy when it comes to T20Is. This has seen him participate in almost every assignment for the national team in 2025 and he will continue to do so in the upcoming tour of South Africa which will consist of games in all the three formats.
“It is super challenging to play all the formats. That is why you see fewer and fewer players playing all formats. Shubman has taken up this challenge and is up for it. The boys are putting up so much work to be in good shape for the challenge," ten Doeschate said in the pre-match press conference.
Ten Doeschate predicts SA's bowling lineup
Ten Doeschate further talked about the bowling combination that South Africa would use in the upcoming two-match Test series. He assumed that they will play three spinners and two pacers, similar to what New Zealand did when they inflicted a series whitewash over India in 2024.
“South Africa will most probably play three spinners, two seamers. That is a challenge when you play in the subcontinent. It is going to be a good challenge. We have learned from the New Zealand series," ten Doeschate stated.
Where do things stand on WTC points table?
Meanwhile, India currently stand third on the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with a PCT of 61.90 while South Africa sit fourth with a PCT of 50.00. Notably, the Proteas kicked off their new cycle with the recently-concluded two-match series against Pakistan where they drew 1-1.
India's squad for South Africa Tests: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.
South Africa's squad for India Tests: Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram (VC), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Zubayr Hamza, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj
ADVERTISEMENT
