India’s Test squad is preparing for the upcoming Ranji Trophy, with coach Gautam Gambhir emphasizing match practice ahead of the South Africa series.
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India’s Test Stars Gear Up in Ranji Trophy Ahead of South Africa Series
With the high-profile Test series against South Africa approaching, several of India’s frontline and reserve Test players are set to feature in upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. This decision comes after India head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized match practice over skill sessions at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Players preparing for domestic red-ball action include Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Devdutt Padikkal, and Narayan Jagadeesan — all part of India’s Test plans and currently absent from the ongoing ODI and T20I series against Australia. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, returning from injury, is also expected to play Delhi’s second-round Ranji match.
KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Prasidh Krishna are likely to join their state sides once the ODI leg concludes, ensuring they gain crucial game time ahead of India’s first Test against South Africa on November 14 in Kolkata.
Play Ranji Trophy rather than spending time at CoE: Gambhir
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stressed that competitive first-class matches are the best preparation for Test cricket. “For guys who are part of Test cricket, playing domestic cricket is very important. Rather than just going to NCA (COE) to work on skills, match practice is crucial for the team,” he said.
Acknowledging India’s tight schedule — with the T20 squad returning from Australia on November 9, leaving just five days before the first Test — Gambhir underlined professionalism and readiness as non-negotiable. “Sometimes it is difficult, but that is what professionalism is all about. Use the days to the best of their ability because turnarounds are very quick, from one-day cricket to T20s, and then back to Test cricket in just four days,” he added.
He pointed to the successful preparation ahead of the West Indies series, where players like KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, and Devdutt Padikkal featured for India A against Australia A and England Lions. “It is tough when playing all three formats, but the best thing in that series was how Test guys prepared by playing India A games. That was very important,” Gambhir noted.
With four-day games against South Africa A on the horizon, he emphasized the continued importance of this approach: “Playing Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series is equally important. This group of players is preparing exceptionally well, and that’s reflected in the results.”
