The Indian cricket team is treading with extreme caution for captain Shubman Gill after he sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during a net practice session in Colombo. The skipper was forced to miss the first day of India's three-day warm-up match against a local Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the NCC ground, and senior batsman KL Rahul was chosen in to captain the side at the toss.
The injury happened one day prior to the match when Gill was struck twice on the right hand. First in the nets with fast bowler Gurnoor Brar and then later that day during slip catching practice. Despite his good nature and the fact that he was out on Friday at all his training, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the precautionary measure.
Gill did not pad up or take part in batting drills on Day 2. Even teammates like Yashasvi Jaiswal went out in the middle, Gill spent time doing fitness drills with the strength and conditioning coach and then spent a few minutes observing practice from the sideline, giving feedback to the bowlers rather than facing the delivery himself. This cautious approach reflects the team management’s concern that they might not get injured when they play a practice match. At the end of the first day, coach Gautam Gambhir was talking to the physiotherapist and the support staff, which is indicative of the severity of the injury.
The timing of the injury is especially worrying for India, with the first Test of the series almost upon them. Gill is expected to be at the top of the order and captain the side during the multi-format tour. Also, the team is already in a depleted situation with several key players sidelined such as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Washington Sundar and uncertainty about Sai Sudharsan who has been rehabilitating at the Centre of Excellence.
With limited options available if the captain’s recovery timeline extends, the medical team’s ongoing assessments over the next few days will be crucial in determining if Gill can recover in time for the crucial series opener.
