New Delhi: Indian batter Shubman Gill is reportedly unlikely to feature in the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, as he is yet to fully recover from a finger injury, according to *The Times of India*. Gill sustained the injury to his left thumb during a match simulation ahead of the Perth Test, which ruled him out of India’s winning campaign in Perth.
Shubman Gill is also likely to miss the two-day pink-ball practice match in Canberra, scheduled to begin on Saturday, November 30. The game serves as preparation for the upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
Devdutt Padikkal stepped in for Shubman Gill in India’s playing XI for the Perth Test, but with captain Rohit Sharma’s return, Padikkal is expected to be dropped. KL Rahul is likely to be moved down to number 3, while Rohit will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“Gill was advised a 10-14 day rest by the medical specialist after suffering that injury. He wouldn’t play in the practice match on the weekend and is doubtful at the moment for the second Test too. Let us see how much his injury has healed, how his finger feels,” a source told The Times of India.
Shubman Gill’s two-week rest period concludes on Sunday, December 1, potentially making him available for the second Test starting December 6. However, sources have indicated that he will require quality practice before being deemed fit to take the field.
Ahead of the first Test, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had mentioned that Shubman Gill’s fitness was being monitored on a daily basis to assess his recovery and readiness.
“Shubman is improving every day, obviously picked up a nasty blow in the mock game, in the squad game. I think with him it’s going to be a day-to-day sort of process, fingers crossed for that improvement, but I think they’ll wait, [and not] make a call with him up until the morning of the [match],” Morkel said.
If Shubman Gill is fit to play in the second Test, it will mark his debut at the Adelaide Oval, as he has previously only played at Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane in Australia.
