Overview:
BCCI might consider involving VVS Laxman to arrange the camp, as head coach Gautam Gambhir will be tied up with the white-ball teams.
In 2025, the Indian Test team endured a challenging phase, suffering a 0-2 defeat against South Africa. This marked their second whitewash at home in 13 months, the first being a 0-3 loss to New Zealand in November 2024. With hopes of making a strong comeback in 2026 and securing a place in the 2027 World Test Championship final, captain Shubman Gill has proposed a new approach to the team’s preparation for the longest format of the game.
A report by the Times of India reveals that Shubman Gill wants a 15-day training camp to be held prior to any Test series.
“Gill emphasized the need for better preparation before a Test series. This season, the team faced an issue with the itinerary, which didn’t allow enough time for preparation. He suggested to the Board that 15-day red-ball camps before a Test series would be ideal,” a BCCI source told TOI.
“Gill is displaying a more assertive approach now. He is presenting his ideas to the selectors and BCCI with much clarity. This is positive for Indian cricket, as there’s a growing need for a strong captain after Rohit Sharma. The Test and ODI teams are Gill’s responsibility, and it’s crucial for him to have a more prominent voice,” the source added.
In 2025, India’s schedule was tightly packed, as they played a two-match Test series against the West Indies at home just four days after clinching the Asia Cup in Dubai. Following that, there was only a six-day gap between the fifth T20I against Australia and the first Test match against South Africa.
India’s 2026 schedule is equally crowded, with several white-ball series lined up. As a result, arranging a 15-day camp before each series could prove to be a challenging task.
It was also mentioned that the BCCI might consider involving VVS Laxman to arrange the camp, as head coach Gautam Gambhir will be tied up with the white-ball teams.
“There could be situations where Gambhir is occupied with the white-ball teams. In such cases, the board may rely on CoE cricket head VVS Laxman to organize red-ball camps,” the source concluded.