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Shubman Gill has not been ruled out of India's upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Although KL Rahul captained India in the four-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, the BCCI has only confirmed Gill's absence from the practice game and has not announced that he will miss either of the two Tests.
The development came after the India captain suffered an injury scare during a training session in Colombo. Gill hurt his right hand in the nets, forcing the BCCI medical team to monitor his condition closely. However, the board has maintained that his absence is only a precautionary measure, with the first Test against Sri Lanka still more than a week away.
Shubman Gill injury update: Will India captain play the Sri Lanka Test series?
Update: Captain Shubman Gill sustained 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.
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 7, 2026
KL Rahul… https://t.co/Mzu2yW4OgX
Shubman Gill suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger during India's training session in Colombo on Thursday. The opener was struck on his hand while batting in the nets before receiving treatment from the team physio. Later in the session, he was hit on the same hand again during a slip-catching drill, raising fresh concerns in the Indian camp.
Following the incident, the BCCI confirmed that Shubman Gill would not take the field on Day 1 of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI as a precautionary measure. The board added that its medical team is monitoring the skipper's recovery, while KL Rahul has been asked to lead the side in the practice fixture.
At this stage, the BCCI has not indicated that Shubman Gill will miss the Test series. India are scheduled to begin the two-match series on August 15 in Galle, while the second and final Test will be played in Colombo from August 23.
Who will replace Shubman Gill in India Playing XI if he misses out on the Sri Lanka Tests?
If Shubman Gill is eventually ruled out of the opening Test, Devdutt Padikkal is expected to replace him in India's playing XI.
The left-handed batter has prior Test experience and is already part of India's plans in the longest format. With Shubman Gill set to bat at No.4, Padikkal remains the most straightforward replacement if the captain fails to recover in time.
India are already battling multiple injury setbacks ahead of the series. Auqib Nabi has replaced the injured Jasprit Bumrah in the Test squad, while Harshit Rana (hamstring) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (quadriceps) have also been ruled out. Washington Sundar will miss the first Test due to a hamstring injury, and Akash Deep continues his rehabilitation after suffering stress reactions in his back.
Sai Sudharsan also doubtful for India vs Sri Lanka Test series
India have another fitness concern in Sai Sudharsan, who is yet to join the squad in Sri Lanka. The left-handed batter stayed back in Bengaluru to recover from a minor big toe niggle and is expected to travel to Colombo only later this week.
Sai Sudharsan has resumed batting at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and is understood to be progressing well, as per Cricbuzz. The medical staff are expected to give him the final clearance before he links up with the Indian squad ahead of the opening Test in Galle.
The left-handed batter has emerged as an important member of India's Test setup, especially as a top-order batter. In seven Test appearances so far, he has scored 383 runs at an average of 31.91, including three half-centuries.
If both Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan fail to recover before the series opener, India could be forced to call up a spare specialist batter, with Sarfaraz Khan emerging as the most likely option.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has also confirmed that Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian and Vipraj Nigam have joined the Indian squad in Sri Lanka as net bowlers.
