Gautam Gambhir blocks Shubman Gill from playing IPL, Gujarat Titans in trouble

Former batter Aakash Chopra revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir believes the Indian Premier League (IPL) should be the first thing players consider for workload management. Chopra said that Gambhir told him that Shubman Gill should be available and committed while playing for the national team.

Gill suffered a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. The right-handed batter is reportedly ruled out of the upcoming match in Guwahati, starting on Saturday, November 22. His injury also reignited debate over whether the team management should better manage his schedule.

Skip the IPL - Aakash Chopra Reveals Chat with Gautam Gambhir

Aakash Chopra shared that Gautam Gambhir is against the idea of resting Shubman Gill for workload management. Speaking during Media Day before the second Test, Chopra said that he had earlier asked Gambhir about managing Gill, and the coach responded that the IPL should be skipped.

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"I asked this question to Gautam before the Test match against the West Indies. His point was that if you need workload management, then skip the IPL. If you don't want to lead because leading the IPL team puts too much pressure, then don't lead. And while playing for India, if you are fit, you are not mentally fatigued," Chopra told Hindustan Times.

I Can Also Second the Opinion - Aakash Chopra Backs Gautam Gambhir

The former opener agreed with Gautam Gambhir, adding that players shouldn't take breaks unless they are mentally exhausted. He stated that batters naturally want to capitalize when they are in form, as purple patches don’t last forever, and the next slump is always unpredictable.

"And as a batter, I can also second the opinion that when you are going through a good form, you really want to maximise. Because you never know when the bad form hits you and where the next one is going to come from," Chopra added.

Gill reportedly requires a minimum of 10 days to regain full fitness. India will be hoping that he can return in time for the South Africa ODI series starting November 30, followed by a T20I series.

Shubman Gill Has Spent Most Of 2025 Playing Continuous Cricket

Shubman Gill has spent most of 2025 playing continuous cricket, beginning with the home ODI series against England. He was appointed captain in both Tests and ODIs. The batter was also named vice-captain in T20Is, making him an all-format regular.

Gill also led the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He took over after Hardik Pandya’s exit before the 2024 season. Balancing two months of IPL captaincy with a packed national calendar has raised concerns about how the workload could affect his long-term performance and fitness.

Gill has had a mix of highs and lows this year. He performed well during the 2025 Champions Trophy and the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series in England. His form has dipped since the Asia Cup. Despite scoring a century against the West Indies, he endured a difficult white-ball tour of Australia.

Also read: Gautam Gambhir grilled as Robin Uthappa raises serious questions over India’s WTC Final chances