India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill, has directly addressed the growing questions around India’s recent struggles in red-ball cricket, while firmly dismissing off-field speculation. Speaking ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11 in Vadodara, Gill provided clarity on both the team environment and the structural issues affecting Test performances. Gill categorically denied reports suggesting unrest in the dressing room following the return of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With both veterans central to India’s white-ball plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, rumors had emerged regarding alignment between the leadership group and the senior core. Gill shut those down without ambiguity. Before the first ODI match, the captain of the side, Gill addressed the media and said, “I think the team atmosphere is amazing. The players that you named have been in this atmosphere for decades and they are the people who always, try to push the Indian cricket team forward. Even in the last series, you saw how well they performed, so I think the atmosphere of the team is great right now.” Read also: Watch: RoKo Reloaded as Kohli, Rohit Prepare for NZ Challenge Gill blames tight schedule to decline in Test cricket Speaking about the inconsistency in Test cricket results, Gill straightaway blamed the packed calendar. Earlier there were reports which said that Gill asked for a 15-day prep time before the Test series. And he openly blamed the schedule. The captain compared current timelines with earlier phases of international cricket, highlighting the loss of breathing space between series. He said, "I don't know. Maybe it would be easier to have a little loose calendar. Maybe it would be easier. I don't think in 2016, 2017, 2018, there was a time when, if you, if you're coming from another country, we sure you're playing a match on the 4th day. Maybe it's easier to play a match on the 10th day. Maybe it's easier to play a match on the 12th day. It gives a bit of freedom for the players as well, and it gives you that time to prepare and feel confident for the next series."