New Delhi: Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel provided a crucial update on star batter Shubman Gill’s injury ahead of the 1st Test against Australia in Perth in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Gill reportedly fractured his finger during Team India’s match simulation in Perth and was expected to miss the series opener against the Aussies.
However, the Indian team management seems to keep the opposition guessing till the last moment on the batter’s participation in the Perth Test. India bowling coach Morkel said a decision on Gill will be taken on the morning of the 1st Test to decide if the batter should play or not. He said the batter has been recovering well and it remains to be seen if he will declared fit to take part in the series opener.
“Shubman is improving every day. Obviously picked up a nasty blow in that warm-up game. With him, it’s going to be a day-to-day sort of process. Fingers crossed for that improvement, I think we will wait to make a call on the morning of the Test match,” Morkel told reporters during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Gill is a vital cog in the Indian batting line-up in Tests and has done well in the recent past at no.3 after replacing veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara. The right-hander has scored 806 runs in 10 matches at an average of 47.41, including 3 centuries for India in Tests this year. In Rohit’s absence, Gill is expected to play a key role in India’s series opener if declared fit for the Test match.
KL Rahul likely to open in Rohit Sharma’s absence
India are facing major selection headache ahead of the 1st Test in Perth with skipper Rohit Sharma set to miss the game. While Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead India in the Hitman’s absence, the team management is yet to nail down on a batter who will replace Rohit as an opener in the playing XI against Australia. KL Rahul is likely to be promoted up the order to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 1st Test in Perth which gets underway on Friday, November 22.
Team India star Shubman Gill has reportedly fractured his finger and is in doubt to take part in the 1st Test against Australia in Perth. Bowling coach Morne Morkel provided a crucial update on the batter’s injury on Wednesday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
