3 weeks ago
Gill returns from finger injury ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
Shubman Gill is the captain of India's cricket team.
He hurt the ring finger on his right hand while practicing on Thursday.
Because of the injury, he did not bat on the first two days of India's practice match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI.
Other players stepped in: KL Rahul led the team on the first day and Ravindra Jadeja batted higher up on the second day.
On Sunday, Gill returned to batting and looked healthy.
He scored 44 runs in the team's second innings, with seven fours.
India won the practice match by six wickets.
Gill's comeback is important because India has a big two-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting on August 15 in Galle.
The second Test will be in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
India, currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings, hopes a fit Gill will help them move up.
India captain Shubman Gill returned to batting on Sunday after an impact injury to his right ring finger forced him out of the first two days of the warm-up match.
Gill scored a fluent 44 off 54 balls with seven boundaries, sharing a 100-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal (61) in India's second innings.
India won the three-day match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets, overhauling a 207-run target in 45 overs.
KL Rahul captained on day one as a precaution and Ravindra Jadeja batted at No. 4 on day two; spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said Gill was 'absolutely fine' and 'ready for the Test'.
The Test series opens in Galle on August 15 and ends at the SSC Ground in Colombo from August 23-27, with Sarfaraz Khan replacing Sai Sudharsan in the squad.
- Who
- Shubman Gill, India's ODI and Test captain, along with teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule.
- What
- Gill resumed batting after a finger injury, scored 44 in the warm-up match, and India won the game by six wickets ahead of the Test series.
- Where
- The warm-up match and nets were in Colombo; the Tests will be played in Galle and Colombo.
- When
- Sunday, following the injury on Thursday; the first Test begins on August 15.
- Why
- To confirm Gill's fitness and prepare India for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka and the push to improve their World Test Championship standing.
Key facts
- Player
- Shubman Gill
- Role
- India ODI and Test captain
- Injury
- Impact injury to right ring finger, sustained Thursday
- Warm-up match
- India won by six wickets vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI
- Gill's innings
- 44 off 54 balls with seven boundaries
- First Test
- August 15, Galle
- Second Test
- August 23-27, SSC Ground, Colombo
- Squad change
- Sarfaraz Khan replaces Sai Sudharsan
Quotes
Sairaj Bahutule
India’s spin bowling coach
“"It (Gill not taking the field on Day I) was just a precaution more than anything else."”
telegraphindia.com
“"Kuldeep just wanted to take a break in terms of understanding how his body is."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Captain Shubman Gill resumes batting after finger injury in Colombo
Injured India captain Shubman Gill won't bat in warm-up match
Shubman Gill Injury Sparks Concern Ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
Shubman Gill fit and ready for Galle Test, says Bahutule
India Seek Colombo Test Sweep Against Injury-Hit Sri Lanka
Devdutt Padikkal Celebrates Breakthrough Test Series Against Sri Lanka
Sarfaraz Khan Taunts Dhananjaya de Silva During Viral Test Sledging
Sai Sudharsan Explains How Virat Kohli Shaped His Fitness Approach
Harsha Bhogle Praises Devdutt Padikkal’s Intent and Temperament
Devdutt Padikkal's Back-to-Back Hundreds Complicate Sai Sudharsan's India Return
