Ryan ten Doeschate Acknowledges Gill’s Workload As Captain

India’s assistant coach addressed Shubman Gill’s challenging schedule ahead of the South Africa Test series.

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has recognized the growing demands on Test captain Shubman Gill’s schedule. He explained that this increasing workload is precisely why fewer players now participate in all formats of the game.

Gill recently took over ODI leadership from Rohit Sharma during the Australia tour. His performance in the white-ball series was modest. He managed only glimpses of form during the T20Is.

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Challenging Schedule of India

Now, just one week after the Australia tour concluded, Shubman Gill is preparing to lead India again. This time it’s in an important home Test series against South Africa. This match begins the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

“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 a pre-match press conference.

Since becoming Test captain during June’s England tour, Gill has maintained a relentless schedule. He has played seven Tests, three ODIs, and thirteen T20Is with barely any break between matches.

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Looking ahead to the South Africa series, Ten Doeschate expects similar tactics to those New Zealand used successfully last year. “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 said.

India has dominated South Africa in their recent home Tests. They have won seven of their last eight encounters, with one match ending in a draw. During South Africa’s last tour in October 2019, India secured victory in all three Tests.