'Shubman has taken up the challenge' - Assistant coach on India captain's commitment to playing three formats

Published - 12 Nov 2025, 16:24 IST | Updated - 12 Nov 2025, 16:57 IST

India's assistant coach and former Netherlands player Ryan ten Doeschate has acknowledged Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill's workload and commitment to be a regular in all three formats of the sport for the team. The upcoming all-format series between India and South Africa comprises two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is.

The erstwhile all-rounder, who played 33 ODIs and 24 T20Is, also mentioned that apart from Gill, even the rest of the players have been working hard on their physical fitness for the upcoming series against the Proteas.

"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 the challenge and is up for it. The boys are putting up so much work to be in a good shape for the challenge," stated ten Doeschate at the pre-match press conference, as quoted by via RevSportz.

Ten Doeschate also predicted that the South Africans will feature three spinners and two seamers in their line-up, come the first Test at the Eden Gardens. He also said that playing against their bowling attack will test the Indian batting unit.

"South Africa will most probably play three spinners, two seamers. That is a challenge when you play in the subcontinent. It's going to be a good challenge. We have learned from the New Zealand series," he added.

The first Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, starting from November 14 (Friday). The subsequent match will be held at the ACA Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

Three ODIs will follow on November 30, December 3 and December 6. The 20-over leg will follow. The concluding segment is set to consist of five matches to be played in 11 days' time (December 9 to December 19).

Gill & Co. are coming on the back of a white-ball tour Down Under. Although the ODI series was won by Australia, the Men in Blue came back in the T20Is, winning the series by being successful on two occasions as compared to Australia's one. The first and fifth T20Is were washed out due to rainfall.