Shubman Gill unfit to play the second BGT Test in Adelaide?

India scripted a historic victory in Perth to kick off the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team, playing without Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, secured a commanding 295-run win over the Kangaroos. With India now leading the series, Rohit Sharma has joined the squad in Australia. The captain is also expected to participate in the practice match ahead of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. While Sharma is set to make his return, uncertainty still surrounds the availability of batter Shubman Gill. According to a recent report, India is likely to play the second Test without Gill.

Shubman Gill advised to rest for 10-14 days, likely to miss the Adelaide Test

India may have to wait a bit longer for the return of their regular No.3 batter in the Border Gavaskar series down under.  Just before the series began, Shubman Gill suffered a thumb fracture while fielding during a practice session at the WACA. To address the absence of the batter, India added Devdutt Padikkal to the squad, who subsequently featured in the opening Test. With a significant break for the team ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, Gill was initially expected to recover from the hairline injury. However, according to the latest reports, he will remain unavailable for the day-night Test.

The team is scheduled to play a pink-ball practice match in Canberra to prepare for the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval. Yet, recent reports suggest that Gill is set to miss the practice game and remains doubtful for the upcoming Test. He has been advised a rest period of a few weeks and will require match practice before being considered fit for selection.

"Gill was advised a 10-14 day rest by the medical specialist after suffering that injury. He won't play in the practice match on the weekend, and is doubtful at the moment for the second Test too. Let's see how much his injury has healed, how his finger feels. Even after it has healed, he'll need some quality practice before playing a Test match," a source was quoted as saying in the report.

Gill’s injury, coupled with regular captain Rohit Sharma's absence in the first Test, prompted India to reshuffle their top order. KL Rahul was promoted to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal as Padikkal assumed the no.3 position in the batting order. With Rohit Sharma now rejoining the squad, he is expected to resume his role as Jaiswal's opening partner. If Gill is unable to recover in time, Rahul could move down to the No. 3 slot. This adjustment would leave no room in the playing XI for Padikkal.