Clouds of uncertainty loom over Team India ahead of the Test series after Shubman Gill sustained injuries twice during a practice session, just a day before the warm-up match against the Sri Lankan XI. Gill did not take the field for the warm-up match against the Sri Lankan XI that began on Friday. KL Rahul is leading the team in his place.
On Thursday, Indian Test captain Shubman Gill injured his thumb while batting in the nets. The team physio examined him and cleared him to continue batting. When he was injured a second time, Gill was clearly in pain. He hurt his right hand during slip-catching practice. Once again, the physio rushed to his aid. The BCCI announced via a post on X that Gill will not participate in the warm-up match and KL Rahul will captain the side in his stead.
Gill assumed captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement
India will be hoping that their captain remains fit to participate in the two-match Test series. Since his debut, Gill has missed several matches due to various injuries. This marks the first time Gill will captain the Indian team against Sri Lanka since taking over the role. He assumed the captaincy following Rohit Sharma’s retirement. The opener had previously led India during the England tour and the home series against South Africa in 2025.
India drew the five-match Test series against England 2-2. The home team had faced a crushing defeat at the hands of South Africa. The pitches in Sri Lanka are expected to be more conducive to spin bowling, posing a significant challenge for India in both Test matches.
Team India plagued by injuries
Team India is already grappling with injury issues; prior to Gill, Sai Sudharsan also sustained an injury. Sudharsan is missing the warm-up match against Sri Lanka due to a toe injury. He is currently at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and is expected to join the team later this week. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the series due to a knee injury. The right-arm fast bowler sustained the injury during the second ODI against England and missed the third match. If he regains fitness, he will make a comeback at the 2026 Asian Games.
India: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar.
Sri Lanka XI: Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Anjala Bandara(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asanka Manoj, Isitha Wijesundera, Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Keshara Nuwantha, Ravindu Rasantha.
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