Shubman Gill suggests better preparation for India's batting unit amid packed cricketing calendar

India Test captain Shubman Gill has called for pitches that offer spin during the Australia 'A' four-day matches in Puducherry in September 2026, arguing that such conditions would help the batting unit address a well-documented weakness against slow bowling at home. The suggestion comes ahead of two critical Test series in the WTC 2025-27 cycle.

India face an away series against New Zealand in November 2026 and the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home, which begins January 21, 2027. India are currently fifth in the WTC standings, making both assignments significant for their qualification prospects for the final, set to be played in June 2027.

"Indian batters have not been at their best against spin at home over the last two years. Gill suggested that if a few batters could be given game time against Australia 'A', with the pitches taking some turn during the course of the matches, it would help them prepare for the BGT. Obviously, the touring Australian 'A' team won't be given absolute rank turners with an eye on the BGT, but it wouldn't hurt if the pitches took some turn later in the match," a source told TOI.

What scheduling conflicts are squeezing India's preparation window?

The window around the Australia 'A' tour is heavily congested. Two four-day matches are pencilled in for September 22-25 and September 29-October 2, but the Irani Cup in Srinagar runs from October 1-5, overlapping directly with the second fixture. A three-match ODI series against West Indies in late September to early October 2026 further reduces the pool of Test players who can feature in the 'A' matches.

"The problem with the schedule is that there will be very few Test players available for the 'A' match. Otherwise, the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup will not be as strong as the selectors would like it to be, and that could affect the standard of the match," the source said, explaining the bind this creates.

The congestion extends into October. India's New Zealand tour opens with five T20Is on October 22, 2026, while India 'A' are scheduled to begin three four-day red-ball matches from October 24, running alongside a five-match ODI series. The first Test against the BlackCaps is set to start only four days after the final ODI. Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir have reportedly preferred a preparation block of 10 to 14 days before a major Test series, a gap the current calendar does not allow. Reports also indicate the team management had no input into how the fixtures were arranged.

How are selectors and the team management responding to the crunch?

With the schedule fixed, selectors and the team management are working through player deployment across the overlapping commitments. The BCCI compiled a pool of close to 60 players for visa processing ahead of the New Zealand tour, reflecting the uncertainty over who will be available at each stage of the programme.

"The team management was asked to spell out its preparatory plans for the NZ series. Since so many matches have been packed into a tight schedule, a list of around 60 players was shared to get the visas ready. The selectors and the team management are in a difficult position as they work out a plan to prepare the players for the Test series," the source described the situation.

A further complication arises from the red-ball and white-ball overlap.

"With the India 'A' red-ball series overlapping with the ODI series, some of the key Test players may have to be pressed into playing an India 'A' match before the ODIs, which would not be ideal preparation for the ODIs, especially with the World Cup barely a year away. The team management would have liked to field its full ODI side to prepare for the bouncy and seaming conditions in South Africa next year. But slipping up in this Test series could end India's WTC campaign," the source concluded.

VVS Laxman's commitments as head coach at the Asian Games, where he has also requested four additional net bowlers, add a further strain on available support resources during this period.