The fitness of key players has emerged as a major headache for the Indian cricket team management. Whether it's the T20, ODI, or Test format, several star players have been frequently sidelined due to various injuries. This recurring issue has even drawn frustration from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), especially considering the fitness struggles of prominent players like Jasprit Bumrah. The situation has become so critical that even captain Shubman Gill has previously raised concerns regarding this matter, while however, in a worrying turn of events, Gill himself has now sustained an injury just before the start of the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Double Blow to the Thumb During Practice
According to reports, the incident occurred during a practice session at the NCC Ground in Colombo. Team India is currently preparing for a three-day practice match scheduled to take place between 7 August and 9 August. On Thursday, 6 August, while Gill was engaged in a batting session, a ball struck his right thumb with significant force. The impact was painful enough to leave the Indian captain in visible distress. The team's medical staff immediately rushed to the field to attend to him and applied a bandage to the affected area, while despite the pain, Gill showed resilience and resumed his practice session after the initial treatment.
Injury Aggravated During Fielding Drills
The situation worsened shortly after Gill finished his batting practice. While he was participating in slip catching drills with other teammates, another ball struck him exactly on the same injured thumb. This second impact appeared to be more severe than the first, causing Gill even greater pain. The medical team had to intervene once again to assess the extent of the damage. Following this second hit, Gill was unable to continue and took no further part in the practice session, while this double injury to the same spot has raised serious alarms within the Indian camp regarding his availability for the upcoming matches.
Uncertainty Over Practice Match Participation
The Test series between India and Sri Lanka is slated to begin on 15 August, with the first match scheduled to be played in Galle. While the first Test is still about a week away, the immediate concern is the lone practice match of the tour. This practice match is set to begin in less than 24 hours, specifically on 7 July as per certain reports, or starting 7 August. The lack of clarity regarding the severity of Gill's thumb injury has put his participation in this crucial warm-up game in doubt. If the captain is unable to take the field, it would be a significant setback for the team's preparations ahead of the high-stakes series in Sri Lanka.