IND vs AUS: Shubman Gill fractures left thumb six days before Perth Test, India's injury woes compound in Australia

IND vs AUS: Shubman Gill fractures left thumb six days before Perth Test

After enduring a shocking whitewash at home against New Zealand, Team India's woes have further compounded as they prepare for the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, which starts from November 22 in Perth. India's star batter Shubman Gill is reported to have fractured his left thumb while fielding on Day 2 of the intra-squad match. The development was reported by PTI, who cited a BCCI source confirming the damage. With less than a week remaining for the series opener, the latest injury has put Gill's participation in doubt. As per the report, Gill was seen in considerable pain, forcing him to leave the field immediately for scans.

Gill, who was one of the young heroes of India's last Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph Down Under, is one of the pivotal members of India's batting line-up and his absence from the playing XI will come as a huge blow to the visitors. Meanwhile, it is still uncertain if skipper Rohit Sharma will be available for the first Test. A report in Indian Express citing BCCI sources stated that Gill has been ruled out of the first Test.

The Indian skipper was blessed with a baby boy on Friday night and is in Mumbai. However, with a week still left in the match it will be interesting to see if the skipper joins the group in Perth. Just in case skipper Rohit opts out of the match, India's top-order could look very thin.

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A thumb fracture generally takes around 14 days of healing period, following which a player is expected to start regular net session. With almost a ten-day gap between the first and second Test, which is a day-night affair, fans can expect Gill to be available for the match. The second Test starts from December 6 in Perth.

Gill comes to bat at the number 3 slot but he was also anticipated to open the innings in Rohit's absence. The other players in contention for the opening slot are KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran.

Rahul too met with an injury scare during the intra-squad match as he bruised his elbow after taking a blow off Prasidh Krishna's short ball, which was on Day 1. He left the field and the bruised area required icing. Rahul didn't take the field on the second day but it is reported to be more as a precautionary measure.

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If Gill misses the series opener in Perth then it opens the door for Easwaran, who earned a call-up to the Test side after a stellar show in the domestic circuit. However, the Bengal cricketer has failed to find his foot on Australian soil and could only manage 36 runs in four innings of the two unofficial Tests. Rahul, on the other hand, is also struggling for form and amassed 14 runs from both innings combined in the second unofficial Test.

Dhruv Jurel was superb with the bat in the Test and with Rishabh Pant also available, the former could be picked in the playing XI solely for his batting abilities. Jurel had scored 148 runs in the second unofficial Test, which may help his cause to be picked in the XI. Both Rahul and Jurel were sent to Australia separately for the second unofficial Test so that the duo could get some game time ahead of the grueling five-match Test series.