Shubman Gill misses opening day India vs Sri Lanka practice match due to finger injury

India captain Shubman Gill will not take the field on the opening day of the three-day practice match against SLC XI after suffering an injury to his right finger during training.

Gill picked up the niggle during a practice session on Thursday, and KL Rahul is leading the Indian side in his absence.

“Captain Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during India’s practice on Thursday. As a precautionary measure, he will not take the field on Day 1 of the warm-up game against SLC XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the BCCI posted on its ‘X’ handle.

“KL Rahul will lead the team in Gill’s absence.” India are touring Sri Lanka for a two-Test series, starting at Galle on August 15.

Cricket fans will be allowed free entry during Sri Lanka’s upcoming two-Test series against India, beginning on August 15 in Galle, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Friday.

“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that public admission to the upcoming Test Series between Sri Lanka and India will be free of charge thus providing cricket fans with an excellent opportunity to witness world-class Test cricket,” the board said in a statement.

The first Test will be played at the Galle International Stadium, while the second match is scheduled at the SSC in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

SLC said the initiative is aimed at encouraging cricket enthusiasts, young aspiring cricketers, families and sports fans across the country to experience international Test cricket between Sri Lanka and India.

The move comes as Test cricket in Sri Lanka has traditionally struggled to attract large crowds, with red-ball matches in the sub-continent generally drawing lower attendance compared to limited-overs cricket.

the second game will be held here from August 23. It would be India’s first ICC World Test Championship assignment since the disastrous 0-2 home defeat to South Africa in December last year.

Saransh has been picked in the squad on the basis of his consistently fine run for Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit. Nabi is in to replace an injured Jasprit Bumrah. He played a stellar role in J&K’s maiden title-winning run in Ranji Trophy last season.

“We’ve got a couple of new guys in. To start with, Saransh, congratulations. You’ve worked extremely hard to be here,” Gambhir said welcoming the 33-year-old late bloomer.

“Make sure that you make your family and your country proud, whenever you get that opportunity.

“Secondly, I want to congratulate Auqib. You had a phenomenal last season, made J&K win the Ranji Trophy, which is a great achievement. Congratulations once again,” he added.

India vs Sri Lanka XI Squads:

India XI Squad: Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar

Sri Lanka XI Squad:

Nishan Madushka(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Ravindu Rasantha, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isitha Wijesundera, Asanka Manoj, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha

(With PTI inputs)