Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Shubman Gill to fund personal net bowlers for New Zealand Tests
India captain Shubman Gill will pay for four to five personal net bowlers to train with him on the New Zealand tour.
He is preparing for a two-Test series against New Zealand, with the first Test scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19.
The BCCI also arranges net bowlers on overseas tours, but Gill is set to cover the expenses of his own group.
Gill will miss the final two ODIs so he can focus on the Tests, while Shreyas Iyer will lead India in those matches.
He is expected to leave for New Zealand on October 23 or 24 and will also play a Ranji Trophy match for Punjab before the tour.
The Tests matter to India's bid to reach the World Test Championship final, and Gill's preparation gives him extra time to work on his red-ball game in New Zealand conditions.
India Test captain Shubman Gill plans to take four to five personal net bowlers on the New Zealand tour and pay their expenses himself.
The bowlers are expected to train exclusively with Gill as he prepares for the red-ball matches.
Gill is expected to leave for New Zealand on October 23 or 24 and will miss the India A Tests against New Zealand A because of his ODI commitments.
He is set to play for Punjab against Chhattisgarh in a Ranji Trophy match starting October 18.
India’s first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19.
- Who
- Shubman Gill, India’s Test captain, plans to take the bowlers.
- What
- He plans to take four to five personal net bowlers and pay their expenses himself.
- When
- He is expected to leave for New Zealand on October 23 or 24, 2026.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- To prepare for the red-ball challenge by training with dedicated net bowlers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gill is set to play for Punjab against Chhattisgarh in a Ranji Trophy match in Mullanpur.
Gill is expected to leave for New Zealand with four to five personal net bowlers.
The New Zealand ODI series is scheduled to begin.
The first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to begin in Wellington.
- Personal net bowlers
- Four to five
- Expenses
- Gill will pay them himself
- Departure
- Expected October 23 or 24, 2026
- Ranji Trophy match
- Punjab vs Chhattisgarh, starting October 18 in Mullanpur
- First Test
- November 19, 2026, in Wellington
4 sources
Shubman Gill To Take Personal Net Bowlers To New Zealand, Foots Entire Bill Himself: Report
Shubman Gill to pay out of pocket for 5 personal net bowlers on New Zealand tour
In A First, Shubman Gill To Take 'Personal' Net Bowlers To New Zealand, Pay Out Of Pocket
Shubman Gill, KL Rahul to miss final two ODIs against New Zealand, Jasprit Bumrah returns for Tests
What people are saying
This is interesting. Gill isn't playing India A Tests as he also has to play ODIs. Hence, he is leaving for New Zealand on October 23 or 24. The four to five bowlers accompanying him will have all their expenses paid by Gill.