"Workload management is meant for fast bowlers" - India coach's huge statement on star batter ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 clash 

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has dismissed concerns about star cricketer Shubman Gill’s workload. Gill led India to a 2-2 draw in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, which concluded in early August.

The 26-year-old was slated to lead North Zone in the 2025 Duleep Trophy but missed the initial games due to health concerns before joining the team for the Asia Cup 2025. The multi-nation event is scheduled to conclude on September 28, with India set to host the West Indies in a two-game Test series starting October 2.

Ahead of India’s Asia Cup clash against Pakistan, scheduled for Sunday, September 14, the batting coach addressed the media on Friday, September 12. When asked about Gill’s workload, he stated:

“I don’t know how you look at workload management, but generally we do it for bowlers, mainly fast bowlers. When it comes to batsmen, only if they mentally feel that cricket has become too much for them does it become a concern. In my view, workload management is actually meant for fast bowlers. For batsmen, I don’t think workload management is that much of an issue.”

In India’s opening game against the UAE, Gill remained unbeaten on 20 off nine balls while chasing 58, as the team cruised to a nine-wicket victory with 93 balls to spare.

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“They are very much aware of how to approach” - Sitanshu Kotak discusses Shubman Gill’s change in technique

During the same interaction, Sitanshu Kotak was asked about Shubman Gill’s change in batting technique, following his fruitful England series where he amassed 754 runs in five games. Speaking about his adjustments and technique, Kotak said:

“Nowadays, whichever format a player takes up, they are very much aware of how to approach red-ball cricket and how to approach white-ball cricket. Even in white-ball, they know how to approach the powerplay and how to approach the death overs.”

“Of course, there will be some technical adjustments, and these players are fully aware of what needs to be done. So, the players will definitely try to make those adjustments. Once white-ball practice begins, they start focusing on that, and when it’s red-ball practice, they shift their focus to how to approach red-ball cricket,” he added.

Since his debut in 2019, the Punjab batter has played 114 matches across formats, scoring 6,020 runs at an average of 46.30, including 25 fifties and 18 centuries.