Shubman Gill Formally Suggests BCCI to Have 15-Day Camps Before Every Test Series; Board Confident of Red-Ball Captain's 'Assertive Qualities'

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill has formally suggested to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that the national team requires dedicated 15-day red-ball training camps before every Test series. The proposal, aimed at addressing a perceived lack of preparation time, follows India’s recent 0-2 series whitewash against South Africa in November 2025. Shubman Gill Ends 2025 as Leading Run-Scorer in Tests; Joe Root and Karanbir Singh Head ODI and T20I Batting Charts.

The recommendation comes as the Indian leadership group looks to stabilize the team’s performance in the longest format. According to board sources, Gill emphasized that the current international calendar leaves players with insufficient time to transition from the aggressive mindset of white-ball cricket to the technical demands of Test matches.

Addressing Preparation Gaps

The primary driver behind Gill’s suggestion is the congested scheduling that has plagued recent campaigns. In late 2025, the Indian squad had only four days to transition from the Asia Cup final to a Test match against the West Indies.

Similarly, the team arrived from a white-ball tour of Australia just six days before the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata. This lack of acclimatization is believed to have contributed to India’s second home series whitewash within a 13-month window, following a 0-3 loss to New Zealand in late 2024.

A Growing Leadership Role

BCCI officials have reportedly responded positively to Gill’s proactive approach. Since taking over the captaincy following the Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Gill has sought to implement a more structured vision for the red-ball side.

"Gill is showing assertive qualities now," a BCCI source told The Times of India. "He is presenting his vision to the selectors and the board with a lot more clarity. It is important for the captain of the Test and ODI teams to have a greater say in the planning process."

Tactical and Personnel Shifts

While the BCCI is open to the proposal, the "choc-a-bloc" nature of the 2026 cricket calendar presents significant logistical hurdles. To accommodate these 15-day windows, the board is considering utilizing the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru more extensively.

Reports suggest that VVS Laxman, the head of cricket at the CoE, could be tasked with overseeing these specialized red-ball camps. This move would allow head coach Gautam Gambhir to remain focused on white-ball assignments when schedules overlap, ensuring that Test specialists receive uninterrupted preparation.

Background: The Road to WTC 2027

India’s urgency stems from their precarious position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Following the defeat to South Africa, India likely needs to win at least seven of their remaining nine Test matches in the current cycle to qualify for the 2027 final. India Squad for New Zealand ODI Series 2026 Announced: Shubman Gill Named Captain; Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Keep Place.

The upcoming schedule includes challenging away tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand, followed by a high-stakes home series against world No. 1 Australia. Implementation of Gill’s 15-day camp strategy is viewed by many as a necessary structural shift to keep India’s championship hopes alive.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2026 06:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).