“You see fewer and fewer players playing all formats” - Indian assistant coach heaps praise on Shubman Gill

Team India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has heaped praise on the Indian Test captain Shubman Gill for taking up the challenge of playing across formats, adding that very few players live up to such challenges these days.

Notably, Gill has been super busy playing all three formats for the Indian national team in the ongoing calendar year. He has played almost all the assignments India has played in 2025, and he will be next seen leading the Indian Test team in the two-match series against South Africa.

“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.

Furthermore, the assistant coach also reckoned that the opposition will include three spinners and two pacers in their bowling line-up, following New Zealand’s successful ploy against India 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 stated.

Speaking about the WTC 2025-27 points table, India currently stands third with a PCT of 61.90, while South Africa is at the fourth rank with a PCT of 50.00. 

India's Test squad for South Africa series: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.

South Africa's Test squad for India series: Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram (VC), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Zubayr Hamza, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj.

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