India Captain Misses Warm-Up Match After Finger Injury; KL Rahul Takes Charge
Team India got an injury scare ahead of the crucial Test series against Sri Lanka when captain Shubman Gill was injured in a practice session for one of the team after a finger injury to the captain Shubman Gill. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Gill was ruled out of Day 1 of the three-day warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI as a precaution.
Although Gill's injury is not a serious one at the moment, Indian team management and fans will be hoping that Gill recovers before the first Test match.
BCCI confirms Shubman Gill's injury.
The BCCI said Gill injured his right ring finger during Thursday's training session.
As a safety measure, the 26-year-old opener will not take the field in the practice match while the medical team continues to assess his condition.
The BCCI said:
"Shubman Gill suffered 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."
KL Rahul has been named captain for the warm-up game as Gill is not in the team.
How did Shubman Gill get injured?
According to reports, Gill was struck on his right finger while he was facing fast bowler Gurnoor Brar during the nets.
After getting medical attention, he returned to continue batting against the spinners. But he also had no luck when he suffered another blow to the same hand during slip-catching practice after misjudging a sharp catch.
After the second impact, medical staff decided not to take any risks and advised him to sit out of the warm-up match.
KL Rahul leads India in warm-up match.
When Gill was absent, experienced batsman KL Rahul took over as captain for the three-day practice match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI.
The warm-up game is India’s last Test series preparation before the two-match Test series begins, so Gill’s recovery would be of great importance to the team.
India's Injury Problems Continue
Shubman Gill’s injury comes at a time when Team India is already struggling with multiple fitness concerns.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka Test series as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Young pacer Auqib Nabi has been inserted as his replacement.
All-rounder Washington Sundar has also been ruled out due to injury.
Meanwhile, young batter Sai Sudharsan is recovering from a toe injury at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and has not yet joined the squad in Colombo.
The injury list of India is growing and will be a big problem for India ahead of a Test series.
Why the Sri Lanka Test series is so important?
The two-Test series has huge significance for India in the World Test Championship (WTC) race.
India needs to win at least seven of its remaining nine Test matches to stay in the race for the WTC Final, to be played in The Oval next year.
Any poor performance in Sri Lanka will greatly damage India's chances of getting into another World Test Championship final.
Sri Lanka wins Toss in Warm-Up Match
Sri Lanka Cricket XI won the toss and chose to bat first during the three-day practice match.
Although the match is good for both teams, all eyes and ears are on Shubman Gill's recovery, and fans will be waiting for a medical update before the first Test.
Shubman Gill’s finger injury comes just days before India’s crucial Test series against Sri Lanka. While the BCCI has only referred to it as a precautionary measure, his health is being closely watched.
With several key players already sidelined due to injuries, Team India will be hoping its captain will be able to return fully fit to lead the side in one of the most crucial Test series of the season.