India has received a significant blow ahead of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth, as Shubman Gill has fractured his left thumb during an intra-squad match simulation. The injury occurred on the second day of the match, and Gill was seen in considerable pain, forcing him to leave the field for further scans.
Shubman Gill’s Injury – Impact on the Team
Gill’s injury is a major setback for India, as he is a key player in the top order. He was expected to bat at number three and possibly open the innings if skipper Rohit Sharma decides not to play. With less than a week remaining before the Test, it is highly unlikely that Gill will be fit in time.
Other Injury Concerns
Adding to India’s woes, KL Rahul has also sustained a bruised elbow after being hit by a short ball from Prasidh Krishna during the same intra-squad match. Rahul did not take the field on the second day as a precautionary measure, but his availability for the Test remains uncertain.
Abhimanyu Easwaran could be in line for his Test debut. Easwaran has been called up to the Test side after a stellar show in the domestic circuit, but he has struggled to find his form in Australia, managing only 36 runs in four innings of the two unofficial Tests. Another option could be Dhruv Jurel, who scored 148 runs in the second unofficial Test and could be considered for his batting abilities.
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