India Test captain Shubman Gill experienced an injury scare during a training session in Colombo, raising concerns for the team ahead of their World Test Championship campaign in Sri Lanka. Gill sustained two blows to his right hand during the session, which took place a day before India’s three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI.
The first incident occurred in the nets when a delivery from pacer Gurnoor Brar struck Gill on his right thumb. The 26-year-old immediately sought attention from the team physio, Kamlesh Jain, who strapped his thumb. After receiving treatment, Gill returned to the nets, resuming batting and later facing spinners as part of his preparations.
However, the concerns continued during a slip-catching drill later in the session. Gill was again struck on the same hand after he was unable to cleanly gather a sharp chance. He briefly stepped away from the drill to apply an ice pack.
Training Session Details
The Indian team conducted a three-hour practice session at Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC), focusing on countering spin. On the second day of practice, the sequence of drills was altered, with players starting against spin rather than pace. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal were among those who began their net session against spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain, and Manav Suthar.
Gill initially batted against fast bowlers for approximately 30 to 40 minutes before transitioning to face spinners alongside Devdutt Padikkal. During this session, Gill reportedly concentrated on his defensive technique. Padikkal’s footwork also showed improvement compared to the previous day’s session.
Other players also engaged in various drills. Rahul batted fluently against the spinners, utilizing the depth of the crease and employing square cuts and back-foot punches. Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant started with throwdowns before facing the spinners, with Pant displaying an aggressive approach and hitting several shots. Jurel had the longest batting session among the players, continuing against local net bowlers after facing the main bowlers.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir was actively involved, conversing with players between sessions. Fielding coach Shubhadeep Ghosh led close-in fielding drills, with Gill, Rahul, Padikkal, and Jaiswal participating. The practice session maintained a high intensity, and the team appeared relaxed and upbeat ahead of the warm-up game.
Gill’s Importance for India
Initial medical assessments following the incidents confirmed that there was no fracture or serious damage to Gill’s hand. He was able to complete the remainder of the training session without significant discomfort. Despite the scare, his fitness is considered vital for India’s upcoming 2025-27 World Test Championship campaign in Sri Lanka.
Gill arrives in Sri Lanka in strong form, having accumulated 1,109 runs, including six centuries, in his last 10 Tests. This will mark his first red-ball appearance in Sri Lanka. The warm-up fixture is expected to be crucial for him to adapt to the local conditions before the opening Test, which is scheduled for August 15.
The team completed its final practice session before the three-day warm-up match against SLC XI.
Source: m.rediff.com
