India remains hopeful of Gill's availability for the Border Gavaskar Trophy opener

With the anticipation for the Border Gavaskar Trophy reaching its boiling point, India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, addressed the media. India, in its run-up to the opening match of the series at Perth, met significant turbulence. Even before the team left for Perth, shadows were cast upon the availability of Rohit Sharma, as the skipper cited some personal reasons. The news was eventually confirmed after the Indian captain welcomed his second child, a baby boy, on November 15. To make matters trickier for the management, the team’s primary batter, Shubman Gill, picked up an injury while playing the simulation match at WACA. However, Morkel, in the press conference, expressed optimism about Gill’s availability for the Perth Test.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: Morne Morkel gives a big update about Shubman Gill ahead of the Perth Test

The first day of the simulation match that India played at WACA staged many difficulties for the team. Virat Kohli had to undergo scans, the reason for which still remains under wraps. KL Rahul, frontrunning the race to fill in for skipper Rohit Sharma as the opener, sustained a blow to his right elbow. However, the most concerning update was staged by Shubman Gill. Reportedly, the top-order batter fractured his thumb while fielding in the simulation match. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli subsequently returned to practice, dashing any concerns over their participation in the opening Border Gavaskar Trophy Test. However, Gill’s unavailability was all but confirmed due to the severity of the injury reported. The update was cemented when Gill didn't join any of the practice sessions of the team after the injury. 

Gill’s injury update was followed by the news of left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal’s inclusion in the main squad. Padikkal impressed with a solid knock in the first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A. Thus, when the need arose, the youngster was directed to stay back with the main squad as the rest of the India A squad departed for India. Furthermore, it was reported that Devdutt Padikkal has been chosen as the replacement for Gill at the number three position in India’s batting order for the Perth Test.

However, in his latest statement, India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, denied providing any concrete update about Gill’s condition. The coach informed that the team is closely monitoring Gill’s recovery. Morkel went on to say that any decisions about Gill playing in the BGT opener will be made on the morning of the Test itself. The Border Gavaskar Trophy opener is scheduled to commence on Friday, November 22, in Perth.

"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 during India's first press conference since arriving in Australia.

If not for the injury, Shubman Gill would have been one of the major aces in India’s plan to counter the Kangaroos at their home. The youngster has been in fine form and has notched up three centuries in 2024. Moreover, in the unfortunate series where India lost 0-3 to New Zealand in their backyard, Gill managed to score 90 in the first innings of the final Test at Wankhede. Overall, Gill has scored 926 runs in 14 matches at an average of 42.09 while batting in the third position in the longest format.

However, with earlier reports updating Gill’s thumb injury, Morkel’s claim may fall flat at Perth. With Rohit’s absence, India faced the tough decision of finding a replacement for him in the opening position. Seasoned domestic pick Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul were touted as the first-choice options. However, both of them had less-than-impressive outings in the unofficial match against India A. Despite this slump, Rahul has edged past Easwaran in the race to claim the opening position for the Perth Test.

Now, the setback for Gill has paved the way for Devdutt Padikkal in the primary team. Devdutt Padikkal made his Test debut earlier this year during the England Tour of India. The 24-year-old came up with a half-century in his debut innings. However, the batter was sidelined during the home Test season when Bangladesh and New Zealand toured India. While Gill’s chances of playing the opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy remain uncertain, the onus will be on Padikkal to grab the chance and leave a mark as the number three batter in the order.