India captain Shubman Gill was rested on the opening day of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI after sustaining an impact injury to his right ring finger during a training session.
The decision was taken as a precaution, with the BCCI confirming that the Indian team management does not want to take any unnecessary risks with Gill ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Gill reportedly picked up the injury during training, prompting the team’s medical staff to assess his condition. While there is no indication that the injury is serious, the decision to keep him out of the warm-up game allows the medical team to closely monitor his recovery before the Test matches begin.
In Gill’s absence, KL Rahul has taken charge of the Indian side for the opening day’s play. Rahul’s temporary leadership role comes as India prepares for an important Test assignment and looks to ensure that its key players are fit and ready for the series.
The warm-up match is an opportunity for the Indian players to get valuable match practice and adjust to the conditions ahead of the Tests. For Gill, however, the priority remains making a full recovery from the finger issue rather than risking further damage in a practice game.
Gill has become an important figure in India’s batting line-up and leadership group, making his fitness particularly significant ahead of the Test series. The medical team’s decision to rest him reflects the importance of having the captain fully fit for the longer format.
The BCCI is continuing to monitor Gill’s recovery, and further updates on his availability are expected as the team gets closer to the Test series.
For now, the development is being treated as a precautionary measure rather than a major injury concern. Indian fans will hope that Gill recovers quickly and returns to the squad in full fitness for the upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka.
