Shubman Gill flaunts Temple wearable training in India ahead of New Zealand ODIs

Shubman Gill has grabbed attention during India’s preparations for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand after he was spotted wearing it at the head of the Temple fitness facility in Auckland. The Indian captain’s choice of a wearable has added to the growing curiosity about a device designed to monitor brain-related signals, not just conventional fitness metrics.

Gill was seen wearing the small device during training after joining the Indian team in Auckland.

The sighting is notable as badminton star PV Sindhu was also spotted at Temple, that too during the BWF World Championships in August. While Gill has not publicly explained why he uses the device, its appearance on two high-profile Indian athletes has drawn attention to the emerging technology and its potential role in elite sport.

Getting into the groove Captain @ShubmanGill, @klrahul and Gurnoor Brar train in Auckland for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Visuals from the same #NZvIND #TeamIndia BCCI (@BCCI) October 29, 2026

WHAT IS A TEMPLE DEVICE?

Temple is a wearable device developed by a team associated with Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal. Located on the side of the forehead near the temple, it is designed to monitor blood flow to the brain and other physiological signals associated with brain function. Unlike smartwatches and fitness bands that focus primarily on heart rate, movement and sleep, Temple aims to offer insight into cognitive load and the body’s response to stress.

The device uses optical sensors through a technology called BrainFlow to monitor changes in blood flow in the brain. It also focuses on monitoring signals associated with oxygenation and cognitive load. Its Entropy score is intended to indicate physiological stress, which can be affected by factors such as exercise, sleep and stress. However, the device is intended for wellness and research, not medical diagnosis, and its practical value for athletic performance remains to be determined.

PV SINDHU WAS SECURED WITH HIM

Sindhu’s use of Temple first attracted attention when she wore it during the Thomas and Uber Cup in April, before being seen with him again at the BWF World Championship. The badminton star has reportedly been testing the wearable while its developers continue to explore its potential applications.

For elite athletes, monitoring load and recovery is an important part of preparation. A device designed to monitor brain-related signals could potentially provide additional information about cognitive load, but it remains unclear how individual athletes use the data or how it affects their training.

GILL IS PREPARING FOR A BUSY TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND

The five-match ODI series begins on November 4 at Eden Park and senior batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return to the 50-over side. Defender KL Rahul and pacer Gurnoor Brar also joined the squad.

Gill was also seen talking to batting coach Sitanshu Kotak before heading to the nets. He scored 754 runs during India’s five-Test series in England earlier this year and will lead the team in the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand starting on November 19.

The India captain is reportedly bankrolling four to five bowlers to help him perfect his preparations for the tour. After the ODI series, Gill will focus on the longer format, with the tough New Zealand assignment requiring careful preparation across conditions and formats.

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