SYDNEY: India have suffered another injury blow as they prepare for this week’s first Test against Australia, with batsman Shubman Gill fracturing his thumb in a training session in Perth on Saturday, according to multiple media reports.

India opted to prepare for the Perth Test, which starts on Friday, with squad sessions behind closed doors rather than take on a local side in a tour match.

Gill injured his left thumb while fielding and is a major doubt for the match, the Times of India and other media outlets reported, citing sources. The team did not provide immediate comment when contacted by Reuters about Gill’s condition.

The news compounded India’s issues at the top of the batting order with skipper Rohit Sharma not yet in Australia after staying home for the birth of his second child.

Gill has batted at number three since midway through last year but opened for most of his first 30 Tests and was a leading candidate to top the order with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Rohit’s absence.

Another candidate, KL Rahul, left the field on Friday’s first day of the intra-squad session after being struck on the elbow by fast-bowling teammate Prasidh Krishna but was back batting on Sunday following an X-ray.

“The key for us is to make sure there’s no fracture or bony lesions in there,” India physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain said in a video posted on the Indian cricket board’s X account.

“(It’s been) 48 hours since the impact and he has responded well to the treatments. He should be ready to go.” The 32-year-old Rahul lost his spot in the team during the recent 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand after scoring 12 runs over two innings batting at number six in the opener.

The Test team have been practising match simulations against a side comprising India A squad members and fringe players at the WACA ground in Perth.

Devdutt Padikkal, who made his Test debut in March and is in Australia with the India A squad, has been asked to stay in the country, Espncricinfo.com reported.

There is less concern about Virat Kohli, the Times of India reported, after the batting mainstay took part in the sessions despite having scans on an undisclosed injury.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2024