Shubman Gill has been all but ruled of the opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy after having fractured his thumb during India’s simulation practice session at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) stadium on Saturday. Devdutt Padikkal is likely to be retained in Australia as a back-up for batter.
Sportstar understands that Gill injured his left thumb while attempting a catch in the slip cordon during the second day’s training of India’s three-day simulation at WACA, close to the Test match venue of the series-opener against Australia starting November 22.
The scans confirmed a fracture, thus ruling India’s No. 3 batter out for two weeks. Gill is thus likely to be available for the floodlit Test in Adelaide, starting December 6. Gill’s injury was the second blow for India in as many day after K.L. Rahul copped a blow on his left elbow during Friday’s practice.
It is learnt that the team management in consultation with the national selection committee has asked Padikkal – who has been an integral part of India A’s set-up that’s been in Australia since the last month – to be retained as a back-up batter.
As a result, while the rest of the India A squad will return to India on Monday, Padikkal will continue to train with the national team. Rahul’s elbow injury is understood to be minor and his participation in the Perth Test will be confirmed in a couple of days.
It is yet to be confirmed whether captain Rohit Sharma – who is set to join the squad early next week after being blessed with a baby boy on Friday – will be available for the opening Test.
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