Shubman Gill Injury: Morne Morkel Shares Update On Batter’s Availability For 1st IND vs AUS BGT Test In Perth

Shubman Gill Injury: Indian team bowling coach Morne Morkel has provided a positive update on Gill's availability for the first India vs Australia Test at Perth, starting from November 22.

Shubman Gill Injury: Shubman Gill copped an injury blow ahead of India’s first match of the Border-Gavaskar Series (BGT) but Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel has provided good news for Indian fans ahead of the series opener. India are set to face Australia for the first IND vs AUS Test of the BGT from November 22 (Friday) at Perth. 

Shubman Gill sustained a thumb injury, reportedly a fracture, during India’s match simulation practice at WACA in Perth ahead of the 1st IND vs AUS Test. With regular captain Rohit Sharma already set to miss the Perth Test for personal reasons, Gill’s injury news came as a big blow for Team India as it would completely force a reshuffle in the team’s top order.

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However, Morkel, while speaking to the media ahead of the BGT opener expressed enthusiasm about Gill’s improvement. He said that the final call on the right-hand batter’s participation in the Test will be taken on the morning of November 22, before the IND vs AUS Test starts.

“Shubman is improving on a day-by-day basis. We will take a call on the morning of the Test. He played well in the match simulation during the build-up, so fingers crossed,” Morkel said during a media interaction.

In the simulation match, Shubman Gill scored 28 runs in the first innings before being dismissed at gully off Navdeep Saini's delivery. He later returned to the crease and remained unbeaten on 42*.

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With Rohit unavailable, KL Rahul was initially expected to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Perth Test. However, with Gill running the risk to be ruled out due to a thumb injury, Rahul might shift to the number three position.  

This could pave the way for Abhimanyu Easwaran to earn his maiden Test cap and open the innings alongside Jaiswal. Despite managing just 36 runs across four innings for India A against Australia A, he remains the leading contender for a spot in the playing 11.