Three days after the IPL 2026 final, Team India faces an unusual challenge ahead of its one-off Test against Afghanistan — shedding T20 habits and readjusting to the demands of red-ball cricket.
Several members of India’s Test squad, including captain Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar, were involved in the IPL final before joining the national camp.
Players adjusting sleep and training schedules
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said one of the biggest challenges has been helping players transition from late-night IPL routines to the early starts required in Test cricket.
To facilitate the change, strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux scheduled early morning gym sessions and training activities to help players reset their body clocks.
“We have seen a lot of players around the breakfast room early in the last few days. The focus has been on adjusting sleep cycles and preparing for Test cricket,” ten Doeschate said.
‘Detoxing’ from T20 cricket
According to the coaching staff, the transition is about more than sleep schedules. Players are also working to move away from aggressive T20 instincts and return to the patience and discipline needed in the longest format.
Training sessions have included extended batting drills, slip-catching practice and longer bowling spells aimed at rebuilding red-ball habits.
“These few days have been about detoxing players from white-ball cricket and getting them ready to play proper Test cricket,” ten Doeschate explained.
New challenge after IPL final
The assistant coach acknowledged the difficulty of moving directly from a high-intensity IPL campaign into a Test match in hot summer conditions.
India’s players are preparing to begin the match in temperatures expected to exceed 34°C, just days after competing under lights in the IPL.
Despite the demanding turnaround, ten Doeschate expressed confidence that the squad would adapt quickly and be ready for the challenge when the Test begins.
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