In another blow to Team India ahead of the
Border-Gavaskar Trophy, batter Shubman Gill has fractured his thumb while fielding in the slips during the match simulation in Perth on Saturday (November 16).
A source close to the developments confirmed Gill’s injury and the severity of it after scans. The opening batter will remain in Australia but his inclusion for the first Test, starting November 22, is a big doubt now. The team management has expressed hope that he will recover in time for the second Test, which begins December 6.
“Yes, Shubman Gill is injured and has fractured his thumb while fielding during the match simulation. He went for scans after receiving attention from the medical team and the scans revealed a fracture. He looks highly doubtful for the opening Test but should be okay for the 2nd Test,” the well-placed source had told TimesofIndia.com.
The latest blow comes a day after
KL Rahul was struck by a ball and was unable to continue the practice. Virat Kohli, too, was impeded by an injury concern but was found to be "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," a source had told TimesofIndia.com.
KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Perth if captain and
new father Rohit Sharma remains unavailable.
Rohit has been training and batting in Mumbai but his inclusion for the Test is uncertain for now.
The Indian contingent in Perth has been working in the nets and now in match simulations for the last two days. The Indian cricket team were supposed to play a practice match but the management decided against it and felt match simulations on the centre wicket would be ideal practice.