India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill has begun his tenure with a clear message: preparation is non-negotiable if India are to keep their fading World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 hopes alive. In a significant development, Gill has suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organise a 15-day red-ball camp ahead of every Test series, highlighting the need for structured and uninterrupted preparation in the longest format of the game.
According to a report in the Times of India on Monday (January 5), Gill has already conveyed his thoughts during informal discussions with the BCCI and national selectors. The 26-year-old batter from Punjab, who took over the Test captaincy following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format, reportedly feels that India’s recent struggles in Test cricket stem largely from inadequate preparation windows between series.
A BCCI source quoted in the report revealed that Gill was forthright in expressing his concerns. The Indian skipper believes that a dedicated 15-day red-ball camp before every Test assignment would allow players to recalibrate their techniques, workloads, and mindset—something that has been missing due to a packed international calendar dominated by white-ball cricket.
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“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,” the source stated.
Recent schedules strongly support Gill’s argument. While India did get reasonable preparation time ahead of the Test tour of England last year, the same could not be said for other assignments. There were just four days between the end of the Asia Cup on September 28, 2025, and the start of the Test series against West Indies on October 2 in Ahmedabad. Similarly, India had only a six-day gap between the conclusion of the T20I series in Australia on November 8 and the opening Test against South Africa on November 14 in Kolkata.
🚨 A SUGGESTION FROM INDIAN TEST CAPTAIN 🚨
– Shubman Gill has suggested BCCI that there should be a 15 day Camp before every Test series. [TOI]
BCCI is willing to let Gill have a greater say in drawing up plans for the team. pic.twitter.com/sgWIp2YdNO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 5, 2026
The source further added that Gill is already displaying strong leadership traits and a long-term vision for Indian cricket. With Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, the responsibility of shaping the future now firmly rests on Gill’s shoulders.
“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, and it is important for him to have a bigger say,” the source added.
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India’s urgency is understandable. A shocking 0–2 home series defeat against South Africa in November 2025 has severely dented their WTC 2025–27 campaign. That loss to the reigning WTC champions has left India in a precarious position, with qualification for the WTC 2027 final hanging by a thread.
Although India are mathematically still in contention, the road ahead is daunting. They must win at least seven of their remaining nine Tests, including four away matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while also hosting world No.1 Australia for a five-match home series. In that context, Gill’s push for better preparation could prove to be a defining move for India’s red-ball future.
