‘If you need workload management, skip the IPL’:Gautam Gambhir’s blunt advice to Shubman Gill as injury reignites debate after Kolkata Test debacle

Shubman Gill’s neck injury during the Kolkata Test has once again brought the workload management debate back into focus. The young India captain has been playing continuously across formats since the Asia Cup in September, with little to no break as other players were rotated. His heavy schedule finally caught up with him at Eden Gardens, where a neck spasm forced him off the field. The injury has ruled Gill out of the must-win second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, making the situation even more worrying for the team. With India trailing 0-1 in the series, the skipper’s absence has added pressure on the squad and opened fresh discussions on how India should manage a three-format captain. However, the Indian team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, holds a very different view on the matter. Instead of supporting the idea of resting Gill, Gambhir has made his stance very clear. ‘Skip the IPL’ – Gambhir’s firm stand on Gill’s injury reignites debate During Media Day ahead of the second Test, JioStar expert Aakash Chopra shared an interesting conversation he had with coach Gautam Gambhir regarding Gill’s workload. According to Chopra, Gambhir strongly dismissed the idea of workload management for international matches. Also read: Shubman Gill ruled out, Pant to make red-ball captaincy debut: Barsapara Stadium to host first Test match in Guwahati; South Africa lead series 1-0 “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,” said Chopra. Chopra agreed with Gambhir’s view, adding that a batter in good form should play as much as possible. “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.” Also read: IND-A vs BAN-A, Rising Stars Asia Cup, semi-final preview: All eyes on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s performance against lethal Bangladesh bowling attack He further explained that unless there is a serious physical injury or mental burnout, players should continue performing. “So, if there is no fitness concern per se and if there is no mental burnout concern that is very individual-specific, you stay with them and you play as much as you can, as often as you can,” he signed off. Shubman Gill likely to miss ODI T20I series against South Africa Although the BCCI has not officially ruled Gill out, reports suggest he needs at least 10 days of rest before becoming match-ready again. This puts his availability for the ongoing Test series in doubt, but India will hope he recovers in time for the ODI series against South Africa starting November 30, followed by the T20Is.