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Shubman Gill missed Day 1 of India's three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI after suffering an injury scare during practice in Colombo. The India captain was struck on his right hand during Thursday's training session, following which the BCCI confirmed that he would be rested as a precaution while the medical team monitored his progress.
Shubman Gill's absence from the practice game, however, does not currently mean that he is set to miss the upcoming two-match Test series. India are scheduled to begin the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15, followed by the second Test in Colombo from August 23, and the team management is understood to be taking a cautious approach with its captain ahead of the series.
KL Rahul captaining India in IND vs SLC XI warm-up match
India vice-captain KL Rahul stepped in as captain for the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI after regular skipper Shubman Gill was rested following his finger injury. The decision came a day after Gill was struck twice on his right hand during India's training session in Colombo.
Shubman Gill was able to continue his practice after receiving treatment, which provided some immediate relief to the Indian team. However, with the Test series opener only a week away, the management opted against risking him in a practice fixture and handed the captaincy to Rahul.
The BCCI subsequently confirmed that Shubman Gill had sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during Thursday's practice. The board said the decision to keep him out of the opening day of the warm-up was precautionary and that its medical team was monitoring his progress.
Shubman Gill's absence meant Rahul took charge of an India side looking to gain valuable red-ball preparation ahead of the Galle Test.
Shubman Gill injury: Latest update ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
The latest developments suggest that the Indian management is being particularly careful with Shubman Gill rather than treating the injury as a major setback. The captain was seen around the boundary during the warm-up match and was working with India's strength and conditioning staff instead of taking part in batting.
He was also not padded up while the other Indian batters took their turns, further indicating that the team was not looking to expose him to unnecessary risk in the practice game.
A report from Times of India also stated that Shubman Gill was unlikely to bat in the warm-up fixture but remained on course for the first Test in Galle. The report said the management was taking a conservative approach with the captain, although a late decision on his participation in the practice match had not been completely ruled out.
Sai Sudharsan yet to be cleared for Sri Lanka Tests
India have another fitness concern ahead of the series in the form of Sai Sudharsan. The left-handed batter did not travel with the main squad to Sri Lanka and remained in Bengaluru while undergoing rehabilitation for a big-toe injury.
Sudharsan has resumed batting at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and has reportedly been progressing well. However, he is yet to receive final clearance to join the Indian squad.
Sai Sudharsan's availability is particularly important because he has emerged as India's preferred option at No. 3 in Test cricket. He also enjoyed an impressive India A tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, making a major contribution with the bat during the unofficial Tests.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has already suggested that India should give Devdutt Padikkal an extended opportunity at No. 3 if Sudharsan is unable to play the opening Test.
Dasgupta believes that if Padikkal replaces Sudharsan in Galle, the youngster should ideally retain his place for the second Test as well, even if Sudharsan regains fitness. His argument is that players need clarity and security when stepping into an important role, particularly in a short two-Test series.
"I believe it's important to provide that message to Padikkal that he'll play both Tests even if Sai is fit for the second. Because it's only a two-match series, if Padikkal plays the first match, he should play the second as well. Giving Sai a long rope is fair, and that security is also needed for players. But just like Sai deserves that security, if Padikkal plays in his spot at No.3 in the first Test, he also deserves that security," Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.
He added: "It looks like Sai will be fit to play in the first Test. But if he doesn't and Padikkal plays at No.3, they must remember that it's only a two-match series. So even if Sai regains fitness for the second Test, do you want to get him back in the 11 or should Padikkal be told that he'll play both the matches irrespective of whether Sai gets fit for the second Test or not?"
