Shubman Gill forced out of India vs Australia 1st Test due to fractured thumb: Report

India were dealt another blow ahead of the marquee five-match Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with top-order batter Shubman Gill fracturing his thumb while fielding during an intra-squad match simulation in Perth on Saturday. The Indian No 3, thus is set to miss the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium along with captain Rohit Sharma .

Gill was fielding in the slips during the match simulation session when he picked up the injury, which left him in considerable pain. The 25-year-old Punjab batter left the field immediately for scans and did not take any further part in the pre-match drills for the remainder of the day.

According to PTI, a BCCI source privy to the development has claimed that the stylish right-handed batter has indeed fractured his left thumb after suffering the blow while fielding. With less than a week to go for the series opener, it will be virtually impossible for Gill to recover in time to play as a thumb fracture takes around two weeks to heal.

Gill missing out on the first Test will be a big blow to Team India who are already without captain Rohit, who stayed back in India as his wife Ritika Sajdeh was expecting their second child.

The couple was reportedly blessed with a baby boy on Saturday . This has raised hopes that Rohit could now travel to Australia for the first Test or at least he will join the team before the second match in Adelaide, which starts on 6 December.

Gill, who was part of the Indian team that had pulled off an epic 2-1 triumph over Australia in 2020-21, is also expected to feature in the day-night match at the Adelaide Oval along with the ‘Hitman’.

In Rohit and Gill’s absence, the Indian team management is contemplating asking B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal to stay back in Australia, according to The Times of India. Sudharsan and Padikkal were part of the India A team that played two unofficial Tests against Australia A recently, and the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side are scheduled to fly out of Australia on Sunday.

Both Sudharsan and Padikkal had impressed with the bat in the series, scoring 103 and 88 respectively during India A’s second innings in the first Test in Mackay, Queensland. If picked Sudharsan will likely open along with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Perth while Padikkal will replace Gill.

Kohli and Rahul also face injury concerns

India are also facing several fitness concerns besides Gill as KL Rahul, who is expected to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in Rohit’s absence, was hit on his right elbow by a Prasidh Krishna bouncer on Friday.

Rahul was forced to leave the match simulation due to the injury.

There are also rumors that Virat Kohli is suffering from a mysterious ailment and underwent scans on Thursday in Perth.  However, a team source revealed to TOI on Friday that the star batter is “absolutely fine”.

“Virat Kohli is absolutely fine. He batted in the match simulation without any discomfort and also had a hit in the net after he got out. No concerns there,” the source said.

Kohli also batted in the match simulation Friday and scored 15 runs before betting out in the slips.

India have opted for match simulation instead of a practice match to give their batters more time in the middle.