"That's why you see lesser players playing all formats" - India coach's huge statement on Shubman Gill ahead of IND vs SA 2025 Tests

Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged Shubman Gill's workload, and the challenge of featuring across all formats ahead of the home Test series against South Africa. The Indian Test captain was primarily involved in the longer formats in international cricket, but recently marked his return to the T20I setup as well, that too as vice-captain.

Shubman Gill was also awarded the ODI captaincy ahead of the Australia tour, taking over from Rohit Sharma in the process. The ace batter did not have a memorable white-ball series, after faltering in the three ODIs and having only flashes of brilliance in the T20I contests. His recent dip in form alarmed fans and pundits, raising the question of his workload management.

Less than a week after the culmination of the Australian tour, Gill has the responsibility of leading the Indian team once again in a crucial home series in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

"It's super challenging to play all the formats. That's why you see lesser and lesser 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 a good shape for the challenge," Ryan ten Doeschate said in the pre-match press conference (via RevSportz).

Since taking over the Test captaincy for the England tour in June 2025, Gill has featured in seven Tests, three ODIs, and 13 T20Is, with minimal breaks in between. Prior to this, he had also led the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) and played an active role in India's 2025 Champions Trophy triumph.

"We have learned from the New Zealand series" - Ryan ten Doeschate asserts Team India won't repeat mistakes from the past

Ryan ten Doeschate predicted South Africa to follow a similar template to the historic visiting New Zealand side that won 3-0 in India last year. The Blackcaps had run India ragged with their spin trio of Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Glenn Phillips.

The Temba Bavuma-led side also have some quality spinners in Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, and Simon Harmer.

"South Africa will most probably play three spinners, two seamers. That is a challenge when you play in the subcontinent. It's going to be a good challenge. We have learned from the New Zealand series,"

Team India have won seven out of the last eight Tests against South Africa at home, with the other encounter being a draw. The last time the Proteas won a Test in India was in 2010, where they won by an innings and six runs in Nagpur.

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Edited by Gokul Nair