Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
India captain Shubman Gill returned to action on Sunday, walking out to open the innings in India’s chase of 207 against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in the final innings of the Colombo warm-up match. Gill had missed the opening two days after suffering a right ring-finger injury during training in Colombo.
His return comes at an important time for India, with the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle scheduled for August 15. The captain was seen batting in the nets at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground earlier on Sunday before taking his place at the top of the order.
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Gill’s appearance also provides India with a welcome fitness boost after the team had opted to keep him out of the first two days as a precaution. KL Rahul had led the side in his absence.
GILL RETURNS AFTER TWO-DAY ABSENCE
Gill’s absence was confirmed at the toss on Friday morning after he sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during Thursday’s practice session.
The incident came after a difficult day in the nets, where Gill was struck on the right hand while batting before taking another blow during a slip-catching drill. While initial assessments did not indicate serious structural damage, India chose not to take any chances with their Test captain.
Rahul subsequently took over the captaincy for the warm-up, allowing Gill time to recover while the medical team monitored his progress.
His return on Sunday suggests the injury has settled sufficiently for him to resume batting, although India’s priority will remain having him fully fit for the Test series.
GILL RETURN GIVE INDIA BIG BOOST
Gill heads into the Sri Lanka series in superb red-ball form. The 26-year-old has scored 1,109 runs in his last 10 Tests, including six centuries, and remains central to India’s plans at the start of their new Test campaign.
His return is particularly significant given India’s growing list of unavailable players. Jasprit Bumrah has already been ruled out of the two-Test series, while Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are also sidelined with injuries.
Sai Sudharsan was subsequently ruled out of the series after suffering a stress fracture to his toe.
With the first Test just days away, Gill’s appearance in the final innings of the warm-up gives India a timely boost. More importantly, it gives the captain a chance to spend some time in the middle before India begin their Test campaign in Galle.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
