India Test captain Shubman Gill has suffered an injury scare ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after sustaining a blow to his right ring finger during a training session.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Friday that Gill will not take the field on Day 1 of India’s three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI as a precautionary measure.
The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring the 26-year-old batter’s recovery, with more than a week remaining before the opening Test.
BCCI Confirms Gill’s Injury
In an official statement, the BCCI said Gill sustained an impact injury during Thursday’s practice session.
“Captain Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during India’s practice on Thursday. As a precautionary measure, he will not take the field on Day 1 of the warm-up game against SLC XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.”
The board also confirmed that KL Rahul will captain the Indian side during Gill’s absence in the practice match.
How the Injury Happened
According to reports, Gill injured his finger while facing fast bowler Gurnoor Brar during the nets. He immediately sought medical attention and had his finger strapped by the team physio.
Although he briefly returned to batting against the spinners, Gill later suffered another blow to the same hand after misjudging a sharp catch during slip fielding practice.
The Indian team management will now assess his fitness over the coming days before deciding on his participation in the first Test.
India Already Grappling With Injury Concerns
Gill’s injury adds to India’s growing list of fitness concerns ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has already been ruled out after failing to recover fully from a knee injury, with Auqib Nabi named as his replacement.
All-rounder Washington Sundar has also been ruled out due to injury, while batter Sai Sudharsan continues to recover from a toe injury at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is yet to join the squad in Colombo.
Tests Crucial for India’s WTC Campaign
The upcoming two-Test series carries significant importance for India’s World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.
India reportedly needs to win at least seven of its remaining nine Test matches to stay in contention for a place in the WTC Final, scheduled to be played at The Oval next year.
Any setback in Sri Lanka could significantly dent India’s qualification hopes.
Warm-Up Match Underway
The three-day warm-up match between India and SLC XI began on Friday, with the Sri Lanka Cricket XI winning the toss and electing to bat.
While Gill remains under medical observation, the Indian team will be hoping their captain recovers in time to lead the side when the Test series gets underway.
