NEW DELHI: Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel provided an update on Shubman Gill‘s fitness ahead of the first Test in Perth, starting November 22.
Gill had sustained a left-thumb injury while fielding in the slips and did not return to the field on the second day of the intra-squad match.
“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.
India likely to hand two debuts in first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test vs Australia in Perth
In the simulation match, Gill scored 28 in the first innings before being caught at gully off Navdeep Saini’s delivery. He later returned to bat, remaining unbeaten on 42*. The young batter is expected to play a crucial role, emulating Cheteshwar Pujara’s ability to tire Australian bowlers with a solid defensive approach.
In 14 matches batting at number three, Gill has amassed 926 runs at an average of 42.09, with three centuries and three fifties, including a top score of 119*. This year, he has been in excellent form, scoring 806 runs in 19 innings at an average of 47.41, with three centuries and three fifties, his highest score also being 119*.
The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia begins on November 22 with the first Test in Perth.
The second Test, a day-night match at the Adelaide Oval, is scheduled from December 6 to 10. The third Test will follow at The Gabba in Brisbane, from December 14 to 18.
The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, running from December 26 to 30, will serve as the penultimate game, with the series concluding at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7. This thrilling finale promises a fitting end to the high-stakes series.