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"Skip the IPL": Aakash Chopra shares Gautam Gambhir's advice on managing workload

Sakshi Sharma

Shubman Gill injury (Source: AFP)Shubman Gill injury (Source: AFP)

In a significant development, Former India player and current commentator Aakash Chopra has revealed an interesting conversation he had with India head coach Gautam Gambhir about player workload management. 

Recently, Indian captain Shubman Gill injured his neck during the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, putting him in doubt for the second Test in Guwahati.

Gill, who recently took over as skipper of both the Test and ODI teams, has been under the microscope amid debates over whether the added responsibility is contributing to his workload pressure. With the second Test starting tomorrow (November 22, 2025), fans are anxious about whether the young captain will recover in time.

Gautam Gambhir told players to skip IPL if fatigued

Aakash Chopra revealed that he had asked Gautam Gambhir about workload issues before India's Test match against the West Indies earlier this year. In response, Gambhir made a strong and clear point - 

"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,” told PTI.

He agreed with Gambhir’s statement, saying that batters especially want to make the most of their good form, because cricket is unpredictable and form can change anytime.

"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. So, if there is no fitness concern per se and if there is no mental burnout concern that is very individual-specific, you stay with them and you play as much as you can, as often as you can," he added.

Gill likely to miss Guwahati Test; Pant to lead

With Shubman Gill almost certain to miss the Guwahati Test due to his neck injury, Rishabh Pant is expected to step in as India's captain. The team management is also keeping a close watch on Gill’s recovery to see whether he will be available for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa.