Shubman Gill Doubtful For IND vs NZ Bengaluru Test Due To Neck & Shoulder Pain: Report

Shubman Gill has reportedly complained to the Indian cricket team management of neck and shoulder pain and is unlikely for the first India vs New Zealand Test, slated to start from October 16.

Star India batter Shubman Gill is likely to miss the first India vs New Zealand Test, slated to start from October 16 (Wednesday) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Gill has reportedly complained to the Indian cricket team management about neck and shoulder pain, which makes him doubtful for the series opener in Bengaluru.

As per the India Today report, the call on Shubman Gill’s availability for the 1st IND vs NZ Test will be taken on Wednesday morning. 

Gill has been a key figure for the Indian Test squad in recent times, having established himself well at the number three position. He played a match-winning knock of 119* in the first Test of the recent series against Bangladesh in Chennai and then contributed with a quick 39-run innings in the first innings of the Kanpur Test.

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Will Sarfaraz Khan Make It To Indian Team In Absence Of Gill?

In case Gill is unavailable for the Bengaluru Test, Sarfaraz Khan could feature in India’s 11, with KL Rahul to move up at the number three position, where Gill has been batting for India.

Sarfaraz has been in outstanding form lately, scoring a double century for Mumbai in the Irani Trophy. This followed his impressive India debut against England, where he amassed 200 runs across three Tests, including three half-centuries.

Rohit Sharma Provides Update On Mohammed Shami's Injury Status

Indian captain Rohit Sharma shared disappointing news for the Indian cricket team fans as he revealed that pacer Mohammed Shami has hit a new setback during his recovery from the ankle injury that has kept him out of any cricketing action since November, 2023. In s press conference on the eve of the IND vs NZ Test at Bengaluru, Rohit said that Shami has developed an unusual swelling in his knees, which casts doubts over his participation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

"It is pretty difficult for us to make a call on whether he will be fit for this series or the Australia series. He recently had a setback - he had a swelling on his knee, which was quite unusual. He was in the process of getting fit, getting close to 100 percent and he had a swelling in his knee. That put him back a little bit in his recovery, so he had to start again fresh. Right now, he is at NCA - he is working with the physios, and the doctors at NCA," Rohit said as quoted by IANS.