MUMBAI: India’s No 3 batter Shubman Gill, who sustained a finger injury while fielding in the slips during match simulation in the build-up to the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth which India won by 295 runs on Monday, is “doubtful” for the second Test too, TOI has learnt.
Gill is likely to miss the two-day practice match at Canberra, which will start from Saturday. The second Test will begin in Adelaide from December 6.
“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,” a source tracking developments told TOI.
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Recently, former Mumbai and India selector Jatin Paranjape had said that Gill could end up missing “two to three Tests” due to the injury.
“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,” Paranjape had said.
No plan to fly Shami to Aus right now
Meanwhile, it’s understood that contrary to much speculation, the BCCI is not planning to fly ace pacer Mohammed Shami, who is currently fit and playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Bengal after returning from a year out due to an ankle injury, for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series anytime soon.
“There has been no conversation around trying to send Shami to Australia, atleast for now. At the moment, the fast bowlers chosen for the tour and the first XI in the opening Test at Perth are doing their job very well,” a source in the Board said. Returning to action successfully, Shami took seven wickets in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh at Indore recently.