Shubman Gill Installs ₹3 Lakh Water Purifier Amid Indore Contamination Fears : Reports

As the India-New Zealand series stands level at 1-1, the deciding Indore ODI has taken an unusual twist, with Team India’s attention fixed as much on drinking water as on cricket. Concerns about contamination in the city have led players and support staff to tighten personal safety measures.

Indore has often been praised as India’s cleanest city, yet a recent polluted water crisis has changed the mood. The situation has pushed national authorities and locals on alert, and the visiting Indian squad appears unwilling to rely only on routine hotel and stadium arrangements.

Team India water purifier Indore ODI: extra safety steps off the field

According to media reports, Indian captain Shubman Gill has arranged a specialised water purification machine, worth nearly Rs 3 lakh. The system is designed to purify even RO-treated and packaged bottled water already considered safe.

The device has been installed inside Shubman Gill’s personal room, suggesting a strong focus on controlled hydration. The team’s media manager declined to answer questions about the move, and did not say whether it is linked to the recent contaminated water deaths in Indore or is simply Gill’s usual health practice.

Team India water purifier Indore ODI: crisis numbers and health impact

The caution comes after a serious tragedy in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, where contaminated water has been blamed for 23 deaths so far. The government has told the High Court that it recognises 15 deaths, but compensation has been given to 21 affected families, highlighting a grim picture on the ground.

The health situation remains tense. Hospital data shows six patients are under treatment in the ICU. One of them has been shifted to a general ward, while three others have stayed on ventilator support for an extended duration, underlining why extra care over drinking water now shapes Team India’s choices.

Team India water purifier Indore ODI: lifestyle habits and spiritual stops

This is not the first time hydration has been treated as serious business in the Indian dressing room. Virat Kohli, known for a strict routine, prefers controlled intake and is known to drink Evian Natural Spring Water imported from France, reflecting a long-standing personal preference for specific drinking water sources.

Alongside these health precautions, faith has also featured before the deciding clash. Head coach Gautam Gambhir visited the Baglamukhi Temple in Agar Malwa district, where Gambhir participated in a havan and Vedic rituals, while Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav spent almost two hours at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple for the Bhasma Aarti.

KL Rahul also offered prayers at the Mahakal temple, adding to a series of spiritual visits before the Indore ODI. With the series on the line, Team India enters the match balancing strict hydration controls, concerns over the city’s water crisis, and personal faith as part of overall preparation.