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Shubman Gill fractures left thumb during match simulation in Perth; unlikely for 1st Test against Australia: Report
Shubman Gill injured his finger while fielding in the slips during the second day of the ongoing match simulation against India A at the WACA, Perth.
Team India have received a major blow ahead of the upcoming first Test against Australia in Perth. Right-handed batter Shubman Gill injured his finger while fielding in the slips during the second day of the ongoing match simulation against India A at the WACA, Perth. As per a report in Press Trust of India (PTI), the 25-year-old Gill has indeed suffered a fracture on his left thumb, and he is all but ruled out of the upcoming first Test, set to begin on November 22.
This latest injury concern comes just a day after KL Rahul was struck by a ball and was unable to come out to bat further on Day 1. As per a report in Sydney Morning Herald, Virat Kohli was also impeded by an injury concern, but was found to be "fine" after undergoing scans.
As per PTI, Gill got hurt while fielding and he was then seen in considerable pain and immediately left the field for further scans. The same report states that Gill has indeed fractured his left thumb and it is unlikely that he will be able to get fit in time for the opening match.
A thumb fracture generally takes roughly around 14 days to heal. As of now, it is expected that the right-handed batter will be available for the 2nd Test in Adelaide, set to begin on December 6.
Shubman Gill had also recently missed India's opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru due to neck stiffness. He then made his way back for the last two Tests, scoring 144 runs, including a 90 in Mumbai.
As per PTI, KL Rahul also has a bruised elbow after getting hit by a Prasidh Krishna short ball. However, the team management is taking ample precaution with him, and he is likely to be available for the Perth Test.
'Virat Kohli is absolutely fine'
Another Times of India report provided a much-needed update on the 36-year-old Kohli, saying he is "absolutely fine."
"Virat Kohli is absolutely fine. He batted in the match simulation without any discomfort and also had a hit in the net after he got out. No concerns there," Times of India report stated.
The Indian contingent landed in Perth earlier this week and the entire squad has been working in the nets.
The Indian cricket team were originally supposed to play a practice match against India A at the WACA, Perth but the management decided against it.
As of now, it is not known whether skipper Rohit Sharma would be able to make it in time for the first Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child, a baby boy, on Friday.
However, it is not known when Rohit will travel to Australia to link up with the Indian squad.
If Rohit does not play the first Test against Australia, then it would be designated vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, who would lead India in Perth. Rohit has been training in Mumbai, but nothing concrete can be said about him joining the team in Perth for the upcoming first Test, set to begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium.
In Rohit Sharma's absence, KL Rahul is the frontrunner to open for India. The right-handed batter had also come out to bat alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal on Friday during the match simulation against India A.
