The Indian cricket team faced a setback on November 16 as ace batter Shubman Gill sustained a finger injury during the intra-squad match against India A.
In light of the injury, the BCCI is considering bringing either Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan into the main squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This decision comes amid mounting injury concerns within the Indian camp.
KL Rahul also picked up an injury while batting in the same intra-squad match, forcing him to leave the field. With skipper Rohit Sharma unlikely to feature in the first Test due to the birth of his second child, India’s lineup is already facing significant disruptions.
Gill’s potential absence only adds to the team’s concerns, leading the management to explore backup options. According to a report by The Times of India, either Padikkal or Sudharsan could be called up as a reserve player.
Both players have been in Australia for some time, having represented India A in two matches against Australia A last month, where they stood out as key performers with the bat. Currently, Padikkal and Sudharsan are engaged in match simulations in Perth.
With the India A team scheduled to depart from Perth on the night of November 17, there is a strong possibility that one of these talented left-handers will remain with the main squad as a backup option.