BGT 2024-25: Massive boost for India as Shubman Gill hits nets ahead of pink-ball warm-up match

Shubman Gill missed the Perth test due to a thumb injury.

Indian cricket team batsman Shubman Gill had a net session on Friday and his participation in the Adelaide test is now looking a likely prospect.

Gill missed the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 test in Perth, which India won by 295 runs, due to an injury in his left thumb that he had sustained during the match simulation exercise at The WACA ahead of the first test.

The action will now move to Adelaide for the second test, which is a pink-ball day-night contest to begin on December 6.

Before that, India will play a two-day warm-up match starting on November 30 against Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, which will also be played in the day-night setting to give the Indian players practice prior to the Adelaide test.

Shubman Gill likely to return in second test but not guaranteed of No. 3 slot

A day ahead of the warm-up match in Canberra, Shubman Gill had a proper net session. He started by taking throwdowns and then faced fast bowlers Yash Dayal, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna.

In the videos from Gill’s net sessions, he seems comfortable while blocking and driving. His grip and stance are natural and it doesn’t look that he’s in much discomfort with this thumb now. A call on his participation in the warm-up match will be taken on the morning of the match.

Shubman Gill returns 🇮🇳🏏 pic.twitter.com/bU0QwtiNSc

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 29, 2024

While Shubman Gill approaches full recovery and his chances of featuring in Adelaide increases, it is not certain whether he will return to his No. 3 slot in which he’s done superbly this year.

India captain Rohit Sharma had also missed the Perth test due to the birth of his child and he is set to return in Adelaide.

In Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul opened the innings and produced two high-quality, impressive knocks of 26 (74) and 77 (176). Devdutt Padikkal batted at No. 3 in Gill’s absence and scored 25 runs across two innings.

Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel are expected to make way for Rohit and Gill. If Rohit returns as an opener, then Rahul could be slotted to No. 3 given his excellent performance in Perth as he saw off the new ball patiently. In that case, Gill could be pushed down to No. 5 or 6.

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