Indian batter Shubman Gill is doubtful for the second test match against Australia. Gill missed the first test match at Perth after sustaining a finger injury.
India played an intrasquad match ahead of the first test at WACA. Gill fractured his thumb during fielding in that game. The Adelaide test will be a day/night test match. India is to play a practice game against the Prime Minister’s XI from 30th November.
The 2nd test will start on 6th December. Gill is a key batter for India at number 3 in test cricket. In his absence, Devdutt Padikkal batted at number 3 in the first test. He scored 0 and 23 in the two innings.
Gill averages 47.41 after 10 tests in 2024. He has 806 runs including 3 fifties and 3 centuries. He has played 3 tests in Australia and has scored 259 runs at an average of 51.80 including 2 fifties.
KL Rahul may bat at 3 if Shubman Gill misses 2nd Test
According to the Hindustan Times, a source quoted, “Gill was advised a 10-14 day rest· by the medical specialist after suffering that injury. He won’t play in the practice match on the weekend and is doubtful at the moment for the second· Test too. Let’s see how much his injury has healed, how his finger feels. Even after it has healed, he’ll need some quality practice before playing a Test match”.
Former India selector Jatin Pranjape said that Gill may miss the third test match as well.
He said, “I know from past experience that finger injuries, especially like the one he has suffered to the thumb take two to four weeks to heal, so don’t be surprised if he misses two to three Test matches”.
Captain Rohit Sharma will be available for the second test match. He will open the innings alongside Jaiswal. KL Rahul who did an excellent job may bat at 3 if Gill fails to regain his fitness ahead of the second test match. Rahul scored 26 in the first innings and 77 runs in the second innings at Perth.
