In a bold and unexpected move, several of India’s top and reserve Test players have been sent back to play in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 by head coach Gautam Gambhir to sharpen their red-ball skills ahead of the much-awaited Test series against South Africa.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that he wants the players to get real match experience rather than training sessions at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and that is why many stars will feature in the upcoming round of Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
Gautam Gambhir has ordered India’s Test players to sharpen their game in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
Players like Sai Sudarshan, Ravindra Jadeja, Devdutt Padikkal and Narayan Jagadeesan are all set to play in the upcoming Ranji matches. Since he is not a part of the upcoming ODI and T20 series against Australia, this will give him the perfect opportunity to prepare for the Tests.
Also read: Gautam Gambhir becomes West Indies mentor after India defeats Roston Chase & Co.
Adding more excitement, Rishabh Pant is also expected to make a comeback with the red ball in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. After being away from the game for a long time due to injury, the wicketkeeper-batsman is likely to play for Delhi in the second round of Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
Additionally, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Prasidh Krishna are also expected to return to their state teams after the completion of the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia. This will give them important match practice before the two-match Test series against South Africa starting on November 14 in Kolkata.
Gautam Gambhir says Test players should gain experience in real matches
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir wants India’s Test players to get as much match practice as possible through domestic games, as he believes playing in real, competitive conditions helps players stay sharp and ready for bigger challenges.
“But then, for those who are just part of Test cricket, I think it is very important for them to prepare and play domestic cricket. Instead of just going to the NCA (CoE) and working on their skills, I think the more Test matches they play, the more important they will be for the team,” Gambhir said.
Also read: Are Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli retiring after Australia tour? BCCI released official update
Gautam calls for serious professionalism and preparation amid India’s hectic schedule
The Indian head coach acknowledged India’s busy schedule but stressed that professionalism means making the most of whatever time is available. He said players need to switch between formats quickly and be ready for every challenge, be it ODI, T20 or Test cricket.
Gambhir’s approach has already shown good results. Before the recent Test series against West Indies, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal played for India A against Australia A and England Lions and that helped them really well.
The Indian head coach admitted that it is tough for the players, especially the multi-format players, but he wants to continue this pattern, ensuring that the players are match-fit and mentally prepared before every Test series.
Indian stars can play against South Africa A
With four-day matches and Ranji Trophy matches against South Africa A, Gambhir wants the players to follow this model, as it will help them gain rhythm and confidence.
“It will be equally important to play the Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series. I thought this group of players have performed exceptionally well. They are preparing themselves really well for the Test series, and that’s where you can see the results as well,” Gambhir said.
