In an injury setback for the Indian cricket team, star batter Shubman Gill has picked up an issue with his index finger and will be missing out from taking the field on the fourth day of the Vizag Test, BCCI informed. Gill hurt his index finger on day 2 while fielding.
India are defending 399 against England in the second Test of the five-match series as they look to bounce back after being 1-0 down. Gill was the cornerstone in the team's second innings as he struck a century at number three. Due to his 104, the Men in Blue scored 255 and gave a 399-run target to the visitors.
BCCI confirmed Gill's absence on their social media account. "UPDATE: Shubman Gill hurt his right index finger while fielding on Day 2. He won't be taking the field today," BCCI wrote on X. Sarfaraz Khan has come in as a substitute fielder for Gill. The news came at the start of the fourth day of the match.
Gill batted in both the innings. He made 34 from 46 balls in the first innings on day 1. He then fielded on day 2 and came out to bat in the second innings on day 3, when he scored a much-needed century. Gill forms a crucial part in India's slip-fielding. He took five catches in the first innings too.
India are already suffering from a few injury issues. Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were ruled out of the second Test. Reports suggested that Jadeja's return in the third Test is also in doubt, while Rahul might get fit in time for the third Test in Rajkot. The Men in Blue are already without Virat Kohli for the first two Tests as he pulled out due to personal reasons.
India's Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Srikar Bharat (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar
England's Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson