India captain Shubman Gill was ruled out of the first day’s play of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI after he suffered an injury to his right ring finger during Thursday’s practice session. The BCCI decided not to risk the captain for the two-Test series beginning in Galle on August 15, reports ESPN Cricinfo.
KL Rahul led the team after the Indian squad lost the toss as Sri Lanka XI chose to bat first. Meanwhile, Gill’s absence was confirmed as being precautionary after reports suggested that he had suffered a ligament injury during Thursday’s practice match. “The medical team is keeping a close watch on him,” said the BCCI.
India Fine-Tuning Preparations Ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
“Indian Captain Shubman Gill suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger during Thursday’s practice. Gill will not take to the field for Day 1 of India’s warm-up match against SLC XI. The BCCI Medical Team is currently monitoring his recovery,” the Board tweeted on social media.
The three-day warm-up match (reduced to three days from four) will be India’s only practice game before the first Test as the visitors have not played a Test match since June. Shubhadeep Ghosh becomes India’s new fielding coach in the meanwhile as T Dilip and his deputy Ryan ten Doeschate have already left for home.
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Left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan continues his rehabilitation from a minor knee injury he suffered at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. In the meantime, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the series due to a knee injury. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has been called up to make his Test debut, while Saransh Jain has been added to the squad as an extra spinner to balance Sri Lanka’s left-hand batting attack.
Placed fifth in the WTC standings, India will be looking to make a statement in the upcoming two-Test series to ensure their potential qualification for the WTC final.