India has been dealt with a serious injury problem two days ahead of the start of their three-match ODI series against West Indies when Shubman Gill was struck on the right elbow in a net session at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The injury has raised questions on Gill being able to play in the first match at the same ground on September 27.
Gill was batting against Mohammed Siraj when a delivery from the India fast bowler struck him on the right elbow. The India captain immediately appeared uncomfortable after the blow and left the practice area to receive medical attention. Siraj also walked across to check on his teammate after the incident.
According to Cricbuzz, Gill was treated by the team physiotherapist and did not go back to batting practice. A report also stated that the batter needed bandaging on his right elbow after being struck. Veteran batter Rohit Sharma also checked on Gill after the incident.
The timing of the injury scare makes it especially important for India. The first ODI against West Indies is only two days away, so Gill has very little time to recover and prove his fitness. The Indian captain is going to be the key player in the series and therefore the team management will be very vigilant on his health and fitness.
Gill was said to have spent around 45 minutes receiving treatment from the medical staff after the blow. The immediate extent of the injury was not known, but the fact that he did not resume batting practice was worrying for his side’s performance in the opening ODI.
Gill’s presence is not only because he’s good at cricket but also because he has been appointed as captain of India’s ODI side. When the team for the West Indies series was announced on September 16, the BCCI confirmed his selection to be in it. KL Rahul is now Deputy to Rahul and could take over the captaincy if Gill cannot practice.
The West Indies series also comes at an important stage in India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. Gill has produced solid numbers since taking over the ODI side. He has 604 runs from 11 innings at an average of 67.11 and a strike rate of 107.85, including one century and five half-centuries.
As such, this three-match series will provide Gill with yet another chance to improve his record as a batsman and a captain in the team. India will also be looking to respond after their ODI series loss on the England tour and the West Indies assignment will be particularly important for them in preparation for the next big 50-over tournament.
If Gill is not available for the opening match, India will have several options in the top order. Yashasvi Jaiswal could be one of them. Jaiswal has already produced some impressive ODI cricket scores (century against Afghanistan) and will probably partner Rohit Sharma at the top.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is also a possibility for the selectors. However, his previous ODI century came when he played at No. 4. With Shreyas Iyer away on Asian Games duty, Gaikwad could also be considered for a middle-order role depending on the team combination.
If Gill is not able to play the opening ODI, KL Rahul will take over the captaincy role as the next vice-captain. The final decision will be made, however, after Gill recovers from injury and the pre-match medical examination to be made.
India's ODI squad for the West Indies series includes Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.
West Indies will be led by Shai Hope and Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Jayden Seales will also be selected in the team.
The first ODI will be played on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by the second match in Guwahati on September 30 and the third ODI in New Chandigarh on October 3. The ODI series will be followed by a five-game T20I series.
So far, all eyes will be on Gill’s elbow and the medical team’s assessment. India will hope their captain recovers in time, but the final call on his participation in the first ODI is expected to depend on his fitness ahead of the series opener.
