India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill says switching from white-ball cricket to the longer red-ball format is mostly a mental challenge, not a technical one. Fresh off his Asia Cup duties, Gill is gearing up to lead the team in a two-match Test series against West Indies, starting Thursday at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday before the first Test, Gill shared how he tackled the quick shift. “We squeezed in a couple of days of practice,” he said. “I focused on sharpening my defense and getting my head in the game. Switching formats? It’s more about mindset than tweaking your technique.”
Gill outlined the team’s game plan: play tough, grinding cricket that pushes matches deep. He pointed out that recent Tests haven’t often lasted the full five days, but India’s grueling series in England showed they can handle long hauls. “Expect solid, hard-fought cricket from us—no shortcuts,” Gill added. “We’ve got the skills to take control in any scenario, and with our talent, we can flip tough spots around.”
On the playing XI for the opener, Gill revealed they’re leaning toward including a third seamer, depending on conditions. “With the weather in mind, we’d like that extra pace option,” he explained. “But we’ll check the pitch tomorrow morning for moisture levels and decide then.”
He also discussed ideal wicket conditions, hoping for balanced surfaces that test both batters and bowlers. Visiting teams in India always battle spin and reverse swing, Gill noted. “If you master those, you’ll thrive. So we’re aiming for pitches that give a fair fight to everyone involved.”
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