Kolkata, Nov 13 (NationPress) Indian captain Shubman Gill acknowledged that he is still navigating the challenge of balancing his responsibilities across three formats as he prepares to lead India in the upcoming Test series following their white-ball tour in Australia.

After completing their white-ball series in Australia, the focus now shifts to the all-format series against South Africa, which kicks off with a Test match on November 14 at Eden Gardens. As captain of both the Test and ODI teams, Gill is among the select few representing India in all formats, sparking significant discourse regarding his workload management.

During the pre-match press conference, Gill remarked, "I’m still figuring out how to manage playing across three formats. Since the Asia Cup, it’s been a busy schedule with back-to-back matches and frequent format changes. I’m still discovering what works best for my performance and consistency."

He added, "The challenge is more mental than physical. While I do experience jet lag and travel fatigue, I feel physically fit. The key is maintaining mental sharpness. It presents a good challenge and an invaluable learning opportunity for me."

"Transitioning in just 4-5 days, coming from a different country and switching formats is mentally taxing. The body needs to adjust, and playing Test cricket in India poses its own set of challenges. However, how we, as professional cricketers, respond to these challenges is what truly defines us," Gill explained.

There has been extensive discussion regarding Gill’s workload, and India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate previously acknowledged the difficulties but expressed confidence in the players' ability to adapt quickly to different formats.

"It’s extremely challenging. Fewer players are participating in all three formats these days. Mentally, taking on such a challenge requires a clear plan. Shubman Gill has set an excellent example," Ten Doeschate stated in a press conference on Wednesday.

Although South Africa has not won a Test in India since 2010, Gill is cautious about facing the defending World Test Champions. While India has recently secured a series victory against the West Indies at home, South Africa managed to level their two-match series against Pakistan after losing the first Test.

"These two Test matches are crucial. To qualify for the WTC final, we must perform well here. South Africa is a formidable team – they’ve clinched the WTC title, so it will be tough. We recognize that there will be challenging moments, but as a team, we’ve demonstrated our ability to handle such situations effectively," Gill concluded.