Indian team's next Test assignment is against South Africa at home.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has prioritized match practice over skill training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Several of the Indian team players, like Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, and more, have lined up to play for their respective teams in the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025.
The majority of these players are all part of India's Test plans but are not currently involved in the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia. Rishabh Pant, who is making a long-awaited comeback from injury, is also scheduled to play in Delhi's second-round Ranji match.
KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Prasidh Krishna are expected to join their respective state teams once the ODI tour concludes, ensuring they also get valuable playing time before the two-Test series begins on November 14 in Kolkata.
Gambhir has stated unequivocally that tough first-class matches provide the best preparation for Test cricket.
"But again, the guys who are just part of Test cricket, I think, for them to prepare and play domestic cricket is very, very important. Rather than just going to NCA (COE) and working on their skills, I think the more they play in the test matches, the more important it is for the team.
Sometimes it is difficult, but that is what professionalism is all about. Try and use the days to the best of their ability because we know that there are very quick turnarounds, especially from here to one-day cricket, then T20 cricket, and then, what, after four days, back to Test cricket," Gambhir said.
He acknowledged the tight timeframe—India's T20 squad concludes their tour of Australia on November 9, leaving only five days till the first Test—but emphasized professionalism and match readiness as non-negotiables.
The head coach cited India A's successful preparation for the West Indies series, in which Rahul, Sudharsan, Jurel, and Padikkal competed against Australia A and the England Lions, as a model that must be replicated.
"It is tough on players, especially when we are playing all three formats. But I thought that the best thing that happened in the series was the way the Test guys prepared, actually, before the series. Going to play the India A game against Australia was very, very important," Gambhir added.
With four-day games against South Africa A also scheduled, Gambhir emphasized the importance of sticking to this preparation regimen.
“Playing the Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series is going to be equally important as well. I thought that was something that this group of players had done exceptionally well. They are preparing themselves really well for the test series, and that is where you could see the results as well,” Gambhir stated.
(ANI/PTI inputs)