BGT 2024-25: India bowling coach Morne Morkel provides update on Shubman Gill's injury ahead of Perth test

Shubman Gill sustained a thumb injury while fielding during a training session.

While reports have emerged suggesting that Shubman Gill will miss the first test of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said that the management is yet to rule him out.

The BGT 2024-25 will get underway on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. India had already been missing their captain and opener Rohit Sharma due to the birth of his second child.

The Asian side received another blow when their No. 3 batsman, Gill, sustained a thumb injury while fielding on Saturday during the team’s match simulation training session at the WACA ground in Perth.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Gill’s left thumb is fractured and the right-hander will miss the Perth test. However, there has been no confirmation of the same yet from the BCCI or any of the Indian team management members in Australia. The management had asked Devdutt Padikkal, who was part of the India A squad, to stay behind as a cover for Gill while the rest of the India A players returned home.

India to take a call on Gill on the morning of Perth test: Morkel

Bowling coach Morne Morkel spoke with the media two days out from the Perth test. He said that Gill’s injury is improving and that they will decide over his participation in the first test on the morning of the game.

“Shubman is improving on a day-by-day basis. We will take a call on the morning of the test. He played well in the match simulation during the build-up. So fingers crossed,” Morkel said.

Gill batted twice in the match simulation training sessions and managed scores of 28 and 42*.

If he’s ruled out, Devdutt Padikkal is likely to slot in at No. 3 with KL Rahul taking Rohit’s position at the top. Gill would be a big miss for India as he is one of their best batters against pace and bounce. He had made his test debut on the previous trip to Australia in 2020/21 and played a key role in India’s series win, including a 91 on the last day of the Gabba test.

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