India suffer fresh injury blow to star batsman ahead of Australian series
By Tom Decent
India’s preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have taken a blow after No.3 batsman Shubman Gill reportedly fractured his thumb and will miss the upcoming first Test in Perth.
The tourists’ first few days in Australia have not gone completely to plan as Gill was struck on his left thumb while fielding in the slips during a centre-wicket match simulation session at the WACA Ground in Perth on Saturday.
Indian officials are yet to confirm the extent of the injury or reveal whether Gill will miss Friday’s first Test at Perth Stadium, but multiple Indian media outlets have reported that he won’t take part due to a fractured thumb.
Gill has 1800 runs from 29 Tests at an average of 36.73 but has made 51.8 runs per innings against Australia in Australia.
The 25-year-old top-scored with 91 during the second innings of India’s famous win at the Gabba in 2021 that helped them seal the series.
Gill scored 13 and 18 as an opener – Scott Boland dismissed him in both innings – when the sides last met during the World Test Championship final in June 2023, but has since cemented his spot in the Indian order at No.3.
Shubman Gill of India bats during an internal practice match between India and India A at the WACA. Credit: Getty Images
He sits sixth on the Test run-scoring list for 2024, with 806 runs at 47.41, including three centuries.
Indian players have been training in Perth for just under a week and already there have been a number of injury issues. KL Rahul was hit on the right elbow by a delivery from pace bowler Mukesh Kumar on Friday and was forced to retire hurt. There has been no suggestion he will miss the Perth Test but was a notable absentee from training on Saturday.
India’s regular Test captain Rohit Sharma isn’t in Australia but celebrated the birth of his second child on Friday. Rohit’s availability for the series hasn’t been confirmed but given he is not in Australia, he is long odds to be ready for Friday’s match. There is an eight-day gap between the first Test in Perth and second in Adelaide.
Virat Kohli went for scans during the week for a mystery injury but has been batting at the WACA and looks ready to square off against Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Meanwhile, Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami is back playing cricket and could be on his way to Australia later in the series.
KL Rahul of India receives medical treatment after being struck on his right arm from a delivery by Prasidh Krishna on Friday. Credit: Getty Images
Shami wasn’t named in India’s Test squad due to an ankle injury but took seven wickets in a Ranji Trophy match to fuel speculation he could be flown to Australia to strengthen India’s bowling attack.
It was the 34-year-old’s first match since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November last year.
Australian players were due to arrive in Perth on Sunday, giving them four days of training before the most highly anticipated series in Australia since England toured for the Ashes in 2021-22.
It has been a steady preparation for Australia’s players with no injury concerns since Cameron Green was ruled out of the series last month with a back injury. Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are both returning from paternity leave but won’t have batted in a match for more than a month. Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were rested from Australia’s third ODI against Pakistan, which the team lost.
Australia has never lost a Test at Perth Stadium from four appearances since 2018.
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