With the high-profile Test series against South Africa on the horizon, India head coach Gautam Gambhir has issued a clear directive to his red-ball squad: play competitive cricket, not just train at the academy.
Gambhir has instructed India’s Test and reserve players to feature in the upcoming Ranji Trophy rounds, prioritising match practice over skill drills at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
“Players who are part of the Test setup must play domestic cricket. There’s no better preparation for Test matches than first-class games,” Gambhir said, underscoring his no-nonsense approach to readiness.
Several key players – including Ravindra Jadeja, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Narayan Jagadeesan, are expected to feature in domestic fixtures.
India’s regular wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is set to make his much-awaited return for Delhi’s second-round game.
KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Prasidh Krishna are also likely to rejoin their state sides after the ODI series against Australia concludes.
Gambhir acknowledged the challenges of India’s packed calendar but called professionalism and game sharpness “non-negotiable.”
Drawing from past success, Gambir cited the West Indies tour, where extensive India A games ensured strong performances – a formula he now seeks to replicate ahead of the South Africa Tests beginning November 14 in Kolkata.
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