Virat Kohli arrived in Ranchi ahead of the first One-Day International against South Africa on Wednesday morning.
India can draw inspiration from their stunning comeback in the 2016 Chennai Test against England when they triumphed despite conceding 400-plus in the first innings.
Gill stretchered out with neck injury; ''just bad timing'', says Morne Morkel
At this moment, the Indian think tank is doing a tough balancing act of building the team around a new set of players without completely cutting ties with the old guard.
The pitch, left unwatered for nearly a week, appeared dry and brown with faint traces of grass, conditions that could bring reverse swing and variable bounce into play later in the match.
Rishabh Pant's 'chaotic' leadership style and batting might be the wildcard India need to level the Test series against South Africa, former cricketer Jonty Rhodes said on Friday.
Team India skipper Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature in the second Test against South Africa, with Cricket Association of Bengal sources confirming that he is not travelling to Guwahati with the team on Wednesday.
The track is historically a high-scoring one and the outfield is quick. But on a red soil surface, the ball grips and can surprise the batters.
'I definitely believe the kind of form he is in, the way he is batting, it will strengthen the Indian batting line-up.'
The focus is to bring momentum back into the Indian dressing room: Morne Morkel
As India gear up for the T20 World Cup at home, the selectors have backed a squad built on impact, and versatility.
Former England opener Mark Butcher feels the Indian Test captain has taken ownership of Virat Kohli's No 4 spot quite comfortably despite the 'enormous scrutiny'.
When Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill bat together at the top of the order, they put smiles on the faces of everyone and are learning the different facets of dealing with various match situations in the shortest format, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said after his team won the five-match T20I series against Australia on Saturday.
India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.
MCG to Barsapara: Gambhir and Pant might be feeling a sense of deja vu
Ahead of the fourth T20I at Carrara Oval in Queensland, Coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted in a long conversation with Shubman Gill during India's training session.
India will be bolstered by the return of former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma - both of whom have retired from Test cricket - adding more depth and experience to the side.
'His point was that if you need workload management, then skip the IPL.'
Captain Suryakumar Yadav believes Hardik Pandya's return will restore the tactical depth and balance of India's T20 team.
Skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged that the choice between a spinner and an extra seamer for the first Test against South Africa is nothing short of a "conflict".
The collapse, India's lowest failed chase at home, has left behind deeper fault lines than a dry Eden Gardens wicket can conceal.
Shubman Gill's return to his former IPL home was the stage for a batting masterclass. His near-flawless 90 off 55 balls, brimming with elegance, control, and quiet authority.
The Proteas arrive high on confidence, having fought out a hard-earned 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month under challenging conditions.
Ignored by the national selectors for T20 set-up, Yashasvi Jaiswal sent another stern reminder to the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee with a blistering 48-ball century as defending champions Mumbai crushed Haryana by four wickets in a high-scoring Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League B match, in Ambi, Pune, on Sunday.
When I'm batting, I think only as a batter: Captain Gill on dual responsibility
India, South Africa pretty close on bowling, batters will face big test in getting runs: Amla
Jaiswal ticked a box in the third ODI with his maidan ton and Ruturaj Gaikwad chipped in with a hundred at Raipur, leaving Gambhir pleased as punch.
Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to the Indian team, smashing a blistering half-century to power India to a thumping 101-run win over South Africa in the first T20 International.
Shubman Gill's form in the series is a concern for India as he has now gone six games without a half-century.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill touched down in Ahmedabad, signalling the official start of their IPL 2025 campaign on Monday.
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is not scheduled to play serious football on the 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025'.
Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh expressed disappointment at the loss but praised India's all-round performance.
Jitesh Sharma, who has emerged as India's preferred wicketkeeper-batter in T20 format with less than two months left for the World Cup, has played down his 'competition' with Sanju Samson in the squad, saying it only brings out his "A-game" to the fore, strengthening the side.
South Africa completed a memorable 2-0 series sweep against India after off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed 6/37 to bowl the Proteas to a comprehensive 408-run victory in the second Test,
The Indian team management has kept the media guessing but Rishabh Pant is set to become India's 38th Test captain.
Gibbs said leadership develops with time, and Gill possesses the composure to grow into the role.
IMAGES from the fourth T20I between Australia and India played in Carrara, Gold Coast on Thursday
India's spinners took six wickets in a stunning fight back to rout Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20I on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
The 26 year old rued the dropped catches, which ultimately cost India the match and the series.
Spin great Harbhajan Singh said India don't have a specialist off-spinner for Test cricket.
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