Why is captain Shubman Gill missing India’s warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI?

New Delhi: Team India captain missed the opening day of the three-day warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Friday, August 7. The decision was confirmed at the toss, with KL Rahul leading the team in Gill’s absence.

The Indian captain suffered an injury to his right ring finger during training, and the team management has opted against taking any risks ahead of the first Test match against Sri Lanka on August 15. The BCCI later also confirmed that Gill’s absence was precautionary, and the medical team would continue to assess his fitness.

“Captain Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during India’s practice on Thursday. As a precautionary measure, he will not take the field on Day 1 of the warm-up game against SLC XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress. KL Rahul will lead the team in Gill’s absence,” BCCI said in a statement.

Gill suffered multiple blows to his right hand while training on the eve of the warm-up game. While initial assessments ruled out any serious damage, the management decided to keep Gill out of the first day’s play.

Gill’s absence adds to India’s growing injury concerns

Gill’s absence has further compounded India’s fitness concerns ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has already been sidelined, while Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana have been ruled out with injuries. Sai Sudharsan is also recovering from a toe injury at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The warm-up match was expected to help Gill get familiar with Sri Lankan conditions before the first Test in Galle on August 15. The India captain is in brilliant form recently, scoring 1,109 runs in his last 10 Test matches, including six centuries. After opting to bat first, the hosts have lost just one wicket and scored 167 runs.