India Test Captain Shubman Gill is set to personally finance a group of net bowlers for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand, an unusual arrangement that would give him access to dedicated bowling support during his preparations.
According to a report by PTI, the 26-year-old will cover the travel and associated expenses of four to five bowlers who will accompany him to New Zealand and work exclusively with him. The arrangement is believed to be the first of its kind involving an Indian cricketer.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) already provides net bowlers for players during overseas assignments. Gill’s decision would introduce a separately funded training group alongside those existing arrangements.
Gill’s New Zealand preparations shaped by packed schedule
Gill’s preparations come amid overlapping commitments across international formats and domestic cricket, limiting the opportunities available for extended red-ball practice.
A BCCI source told PTI: “This is interesting. Gill isn’t playing India A Tests as he also has to play ODIs. Hence, he is leaving for New Zealand on October 23 or 24. The four to five bowlers accompanying him will have all their expenses paid by Gill.”
The BCCI has named separate squads to give players involved in the Test series additional preparation time. The scheduling challenge is particularly significant because only four days separate the fifth ODI and the opening Test.
Ranji Trophy appearance before overseas assignment
Before travelling to New Zealand, Gill is expected to return to domestic first-class cricket with Punjab.
Gill missed Punjab’s opening Ranji Trophy fixture for personal reasons but returned for their match against Chhattisgarh, which began on October 18 at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
However, his return to red-ball cricket was brief. Batting at No. 4 under Captain Uday Saharan, Gill managed just one run from five deliveries before being bowled by left-arm spinner Ajay Mandal.
India’s forthcoming series will take place in conditions markedly different from those typically encountered on the subcontinent, with cooler weather and pitches that can offer assistance to seam bowlers.
Gill enters the assignment after scoring 754 runs during India’s five-Test tour of England earlier this year, a series that demonstrated his ability to produce substantial returns in overseas conditions.
The India Captain has also advocated greater emphasis on Test preparation, including the use of practice matches, as part of efforts to improve readiness for demanding international assignments.
His additional training arrangements will now form part of the build-up to a New Zealand series where adapting to local conditions will be an important consideration for India’s batting lineup.
