Star Indian batter Shubman Gill, who has hammered three centuries in eight Tests played so far in 2024, is doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand. The first Test of the three-match series between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru from Wednesday (October 16) onwards. According to a report in India Today on Tuesday, Gill is doubtful after complaining of neck and shoulder pain.
The 25-year-old batter informed the team management about the niggle on Monday, and a decision on his availability for the match will be taken on Wednesday morning.
India has no like-for-like replacement of Gill as No. 3 batter, and if he misses out, then either KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan will play at the crucial position.
Gill, who made his Test debut for India on December 26, 2020, against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, has impressed with his performances as No. 3 batter. In eight matches played so far in 2024, with the help of three centuries and two fifties, he has amassed a total of 662 runs.
In the second innings of the first Test against Bangladesh last month, he scored a century to top score for the Rohit Sharma-led side.
While speaking to reporters on the eve of the first Test against the Black Caps in Bengaluru, Indian captain Rohit Sharma also provided a worrying update about star pacer Mohammed Shami.
According to him, it is very difficult to take a call on Shami’s availability for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as of now because he has a swelling on his knee.
“To be honest, right now, it’s pretty difficult for us to make a call on him, whether he’ll be fit for this series or the Australia series. He recently had swelling on his knee, which was quite unusual,” Rohit told reporters.
“He was in the process of getting fit, getting close to 100 percent; he had swelling in his knee, which put him back a little bit in his recovery. So, he had to start again. Right now, he’s at NCA; he’s working with the physios and the doctors at NCA,” he added.
Rohit said the team management wants Shami to regain full fitness before returning to top-flight cricket.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed; we want him to be 100 percent fit. We don’t want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia; that is not going to be the right decision for us. It is quite tough for a fast bowler, having missed so much of cricket, and then suddenly to come out and be at his best, it is not ideal,” he noted.
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