NZ v IND 2026: Shubman Gill to fund expenses for five personal net bowlers on New Zealand tour - Report

India Test captain Shubman Gill is taking an unprecedented step to gear up for the upcoming multi-format tour of New Zealand.

Reports indicate he will personally fund and travel with four to five net bowlers, covering all of their travel, accommodation, and structural expenses out of his own pocket.

While the BCCI traditionally provides net bowlers for training during overseas tours, this marks the first time an Indian cricketer or skipper has personally financed a dedicated group of bowlers to train with them exclusively.

"This is interesting. Gill isn't playing India A Tests as he also has to play ODIs. Hence, he is leaving for New Zealand on October 23 or 24. The four to five bowlers accompanying him will have all their expenses paid by Gill," a BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Because he is skipping the multi-day India A fixtures due to senior ODI responsibilities, Gill is scheduled to fly out early to New Zealand. This early arrival will give him a month to acclimatise alongside his private training group before the two-Test series starts on November 19

Before leaving, Shubman Gill will return to red-ball cricket for Punjab’s second Ranji Trophy 2026-27 fixture against Chhattisgarh, starting October 18 in Mullanpur.

Gill will lead India in the first three matches of the five-ODI series. He will sit out the final two ODIs, passing captaincy duties to Shreyas Iyer, so he can strictly lock in his focus on the red-ball leg.