Chandigarh: India’s newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill on Wednesday indicated a shift in approach regarding home pitches, suggesting that the team would prefer balanced surfaces instead of rank turners. Gill’s remarks came during a press conference on the eve of the opening Test against West Indies, where the venue is reportedly offering a green-top wicket.
Move away from rank turners
In recent years, India’s dominance at home has been built largely on turning tracks that heavily favour spinners, often leaving visiting sides struggling to adapt. However, Gill suggested that the team is now looking to prepare wickets that provide opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers, creating a more even contest.
“I can’t really speak about what the conversations were before I became captain, but yes, we would be looking to play on wickets that offer help to both the batsmen and bowlers,” Gill said.
He clarified that spin and reverse swing will continue to remain traditional challenges for visiting teams in India. “Any side coming here knows that the challenge is going to be spin and reverse swing. Keeping these in mind, we still want pitches that provide something for everyone.”
Third seamer under consideration
With conditions at the opening venue promising pace and movement, Gill hinted that India could field an extra fast bowler. “You will get to know the combination tomorrow. Given how the weather and conditions are, we are tempted to have a third seaming option, but we will take a call tomorrow,” he stated.
The possibility of including three seamers marks a significant departure from India’s usual strategy of playing with three spinners at home. If executed, it could provide much-needed exposure to the team’s younger pacers alongside spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Quick turnaround from Asia Cup
The Test series against West Indies comes just days after India clinched the Asia Cup T20 title in Dubai. For Gill and several of his teammates, including Bumrah, the transition from the shortest format to the longest has been rapid.
“We had only a couple of days before this Test match. Yes, it was a quick turnaround. Personally, I was trying to get into my zone in the nets and adjust to the requirements of Test cricket,” Gill explained.
The captain’s comments highlight the challenge modern cricketers face with back-to-back series across formats, often leaving little time for mental or physical recovery.
Managing Bumrah’s workload
Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and workload remain a key talking point, given his recent injury history. When asked whether India would restrict his bowling spells to preserve him for the season ahead, Gill clarified that there was no fixed plan.
“We will take a call on a match-to-match basis, depending on how long a game goes and how many overs a bowler bowls. Nothing is pre-decided,” he said.
This flexible approach suggests the team management will monitor Bumrah’s workload closely, balancing the need for his impact in Tests with long-term fitness goals, especially with a packed calendar including overseas tours and white-ball commitments.
Balancing tradition with evolution
Gill’s captaincy era seems to be marking a subtle but important transition in India’s Test cricket philosophy. While India has long been criticised internationally for offering rank turners, the captain’s intent to pursue balanced wickets could help develop an all-round skill set among Indian players, particularly in conditions closer to those abroad.
At the same time, Gill emphasised that spin and reverse swing would remain central to India’s home advantage. The task for the management, therefore, will be to strike the right balance between maintaining India’s fortress-like dominance at home and preparing the team for challenges overseas.
Looking ahead
The Test series against West Indies is being seen as a starting point for Gill’s captaincy journey in the longest format. With young talent and experienced campaigners in the squad, the approach to pitch preparation, team combination, and player management will be closely observed.
If India does indeed field three seamers in the opening Test, it would send a strong message about the team’s adaptability and willingness to experiment under Gill’s leadership. The coming weeks will reveal whether this shift in philosophy becomes a long-term feature of India’s Test cricket strategy.