India Test skipper Shubman Gill will not be available for the first day of the three-day warm-up against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI due to an impact injury to his right ring finger during a training session.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released information saying that Gill had received the injury during the practice Square League match on Thursday and for that reason, he is being rested. Indian skipper is currently being monitored by BCCI’s Medical Team and is being closely watched heading towards the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Senior batter KL Rahul will lead the Indian side in the warm-up match in the absence of Gill.
It was when Gill had his left arm extended for the delivery and was struck on his right finger, reports said. The 26-year-old got immediate treatment and then moved on to continue his practice session, where he made an adjustment to bowlers bounce their ball.
But Gill was then caught again with the same arm, this time while giving a sharp catch in slip fielding practice, and went under benefit period, which means that his team captain could not issue the sack on a benefit occasion.
Gill’s omission is purely on precaution and the management’s aim is to ensure that he is in absolutely good form when Sri Lanka will play the first Test in the two-match rivalry in the opening bona fide spelling off next week, the BCCI said.
With this expectation that Gill will recover fast enough, India will look for their return in a big way at the top of the order first to lead the way, and then in the number one spot during the Test series.