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India’s Ryan ten Doeschate discusses Shubman Gill’s captaincy and workload ahead of the all-format South Africa series.
Shubman Gill has been playing non-stop cricket this year (Picture credit: AFP)
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has acknowledged Test skipper Shubman Gill’s ever-increasing workload, adding that this is the very reason why players do not take part in all formats, but the skipper has taken up the challenge, ahead of the all-format series against South Africa.
Gill was handed the ODI leadership for the Australia tour, replacing Rohit Sharma. However, his white-ball stint was underwhelming, with modest returns in the three ODIs and only glimpses of form in the T20Is.
Just a week after the Australia tour, Gill finds himself leading India once again, this time in a crucial home series of 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 the pre-match press conference.
Since assuming Test leadership during the England tour in June, Gill has played seven Tests, three ODIs and 13 T20Is, with almost no time off in between.
Ten Doeschate expects South Africa to adopt a similar approach to the historic New Zealand team that swept India 3-0 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 won seven of their last eight home Tests against South Africa, with the remaining game ending in a draw.
The last time that South Africa toured India was in October 2019. India won all three Tests in Vizag, Pune and Ranchi, with the last two victories being innings wins.
November 12, 2025, 15:48 IST
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