'Our main goal is to play the WTC final': Captain Shubman Gill states ahead of the Galle Test

“We need to win six-seven Test matches”

To qualify for the WTC final at The Oval in June 2027, the Indian team needs to win almost all of its remaining matches. Speaking at a press conference, Gill said, “I am very comfortable with my role, and I feel the progress we have made over the past year has been very pleasing; I believe we are taking the right steps in the right direction.” Gill added, “Obviously, the main goal is to play in the World Test Championship final next year. We have about nine Test matches left, and I think we need to win six or seven of them to have a good chance of qualifying. That is why I consider this a crucial series for us, and we have prepared thoroughly for it.”

Unlike previous tours, the Indian team arrived in Sri Lanka early this time. Additionally, the team participated in a three-day warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Gill remarked, “Adapting to conditions is never easy for players, and most of the players in this squad need some time to adjust to the local environment. It is not as if most of the players have played a vast number of matches or possess immense experience, so the extra time for preparation certainly proves helpful.”

Gill confident of team’s fast-bowling attack

Despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Captain Gill has expressed confidence in the team’s fast-bowling attack, specifically praising Prasidh Krishna. The Indian captain said, “Gurnoor Brar is an excellent bowler because he can generate good pace and bounce even with the old ball; however, Prasidh Krishna has been bowling well recently, as we saw in the warm-up match. That is why it is a difficult decision to make. Prasidh appears to be in the best form of his career.”

Gill added, “Bumrah isn’t in the squad, but I feel this is a great opportunity for the other bowlers to step up and make their mark on the series. You have to try different things to take wickets. You need to create opportunities, especially on the first and second days. The pitch might not offer much assistance. In such a scenario, how do you build pressure? How do you prevent the game from slipping away from you? That is where setting creative fields becomes essential.”

Captain Shubman Gill also praised Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a century in the warm-up match. He said, “Devdutt has toured here with India A before and performed well. He possesses all the skills and ability needed to succeed in this format. On such open grounds, the wind sometimes plays a crucial role.”

Gill continued, “As batters, we discuss in team meetings that if we want to play aggressively against a spinner, we need to consider whether the wind is in our favor or against us. We look at how to use the conditions to our advantage rather than fighting against them. Perhaps that is one difference between playing in Sri Lanka or India and playing here; in India, most stadiums are enclosed by stands, whereas on open grounds, the wind plays a major role.”

India’s Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar.

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