BY SWATI
New Delhi | September 23, 2026
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has hinted at possible workload management for several key players ahead of the team’s upcoming multi-format tour of New Zealand, raising the possibility that players such as Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj could be rested for some of the ODIs.
The indication comes amid a packed New Zealand schedule in which India are scheduled to play five ODIs before the two-Test series. The final ODI in Tauranga is set to be followed by the first Test in Wellington just a few days later, leaving very limited time for players to switch from the 50-over format to Test cricket.
Gambhir stressed that players may need a break from white-ball cricket to prepare properly for Test matches.
“Often for Test match preparation, you will have to give your batters a break as well from the white-ball to move into Test cricket,” Gambhir said, highlighting the difficulty of making a quick transition from limited-overs cricket to the longest format. Apart from Gill, Bumrah and Siraj, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also among the players who could be managed depending on the team’s Test requirements and workload.
The move would be part of a broader rotation strategy aimed at keeping key players fresh, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup also on the horizon. Gambhir has acknowledged that maintaining a group of players across all three formats is becoming increasingly difficult because of workload and injury concerns.
Reports suggest that if Gill is rested for the latter part of the ODI series, Shreyas Iyer, the ODI vice-captain, could take over the leadership duties for those matches. However, the final decision will depend on the selectors and team management.
For India, the New Zealand tour is expected to be a major test of their ability to balance ODI commitments with Test preparation, while ensuring that their leading players remain available for the demanding international calendar.
