Team India has suffered a major setback ahead of the Test series between India and Sri Lanka. Captain Shubman Gill will not be playing on the first day of the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI due to injury.
The BCCI stated that Shubman Gill was hit on the ring finger of his right hand during Thursday’s practice session. As a precautionary measure, the team management has decided to rest him for the first day. The BCCI medical team is continuously monitoring his injury.
KL Rahul to lead the team
KL Rahul is captaining the team in Shubman Gill’s absence. Rahul also came on the field at the toss. Sri Lanka XI won the toss and elected to bat first.
This warm-up match was originally scheduled to be a four-day affair, but was later reduced to three days. This match is considered crucial for Team India ahead of the two-match Test series starting in Galle on August 15th. The Indian players are using this match to prepare themselves for the spin-fighting Sri Lankan pitches.
Will Shubman Gill be able to play in the next warm-up match?
It is currently unclear whether Shubman Gill will be able to take the field on the second and third days of the warm-up match. The BCCI has not yet officially announced his return. The medical team is continuously monitoring his injury and his fitness will be assessed daily.
If his finger injury is not serious and the pain is minimal, he could return to the field the next day. However, the team management is not taking any chances, as the first Test against Sri Lanka begins on August 15th. Therefore, Gill’s return will depend entirely on his fitness report.
Training Sessions Revitalize Players
With this match, Shubdeep Ghosh has also taken over as the Indian team’s new fielding coach. His innovative practice methods and the inclusion of specific fielding challenges in training sessions have instilled renewed enthusiasm among the Indian players. The BCCI did not extend the tenures of T. Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
Indian players recovering from injury
Sai Sudharsan is still recovering from his injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and his fitness is being monitored. Meanwhile, star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the entire Test series due to a knee injury.
In place of Bumrah, Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Aaqib Nabi has been included in the Indian Test team for the first time. Off-spin all-rounder Saransh Jain has also been included in the squad to provide the team with additional options against Sri Lanka’s left-handed batsmen.