Former opening batter Aakash Chopra revealed that Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir views skipping the Indian Premier League (IPL) season as a means of managing Shubman Gill’s intense workload across formats. The multi-format skipper is nursing a neck injury that he sustained during the first Test against South Africa, which has raised alarms over the need to manage his schedule. Shubman Gill has more or less played non-stop cricket in 2025, right from the home ODI series against England. The dynamic drastically changed a few months later as he was handed captaincy roles in Tests and ODIs, along with a vice-captaincy role in the T20I side, making him a bona fide presence in the playing XI in all three formats. Apart from his colossal responsibilities with the national team, Gill is also tasked with the role of Gujarat Titans’ (GT) captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has held the post since Hardik Pandya’s departure ahead of the 2024 season. Non-stop cricket for two months on top of the extensive demands of the international calendar could impact his long-term future. Chopra revealed how Gautam Gambhir feels that leading an IPL side on top of responsibilities for Team India can be too taxing. “I asked this question to Gautam before the Test match against the West Indies. His point was that if you need workload management, then skip the IPL. If you don’t want to lead because leading the IPL team puts too much pressure, then don’t lead. And while playing for India, if you are fit, you are not mentally fatigued,” Chopra told Hindustan Times. The former opener stressed the notion of batters wishing to make the most of their purple patch, which Gill had been relishing for the major part of the year. “And as a batter, I can also second the opinion that when you are going through a good form, you really want to maximise. Because you never know when the bad form hits you and where the next one is going to come from,” Chopra added. Shubman Gill had a prolific 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, and a landmark 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England. However, he has struggled for runs since his comeback into the T20I side during the 2025 Asia Cup. While he scored another ton in the home series against the West Indies, he endured a tough white-ball tour of Australia. “Shubman has taken up this challenge and is up for it” Team India assistant coach on Gill’s workload ahead of IND vs SA 2025 Tests The team management have backed Shubman Gill to thrive across formats, both as a leader and captain. A central figure amid a major transition period, there is a lot of expectation on the ace player, irrespective of the format. “It’s super challenging to play all the formats. That’s why you see lesser and lesser players playing all formats. Shubman has taken up this challenge and is up for it. Shubman Gill is currently doubtful for the second Test against South Africa, scheduled to begin on Saturday, November 22 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
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