India’s preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has hit some bumps, with concerns now surrounding Shubman Gill’s availability for the first Test against Australia in Perth. After earlier blows to Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul, reports suggest that Gill has hurt his fingers during a match simulation against India A. A TOI reporter indicated that the injury occurred while Gill was fielding at slips, raising doubts about his readiness for the opener.

In the practice game, Gill initially struggled to find form, being dismissed by Navdeep Saini after misjudging a short-pitched delivery that was caught at gully. However, in the second innings, he bounced back with a display of his signature fluent strokes, elegant drives, and cuts, showcasing the potential that India has come to expect from him.

If Gill is ruled out of the opening Test, India may consider KL Rahul for the number three position. Another option could be Abhimanyu Easwaran, but his selection might hinge on whether Rohit Sharma returns in time to open the innings. The last time India toured Australia in 2020-21, they won the series but suffered numerous injuries, with 11 players sidelined. GautamGambhir’s coaching staff will be eager to avoid a repeat of such injury setbacks this time around.