Colombo warm-up sees Shubman Gill sidelined by injury as India bowlers find rhythm
Gill sidelined, Rahul steps in as captain
India captain Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during practice on Thursday, leading to his absence from day one of the warm-up fixture against a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI. As a precautionary measure, he did not take the field. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.
In Gill’s absence, KL Rahul led the team. The extent of Gill’s injury and his availability for the first ICC World Test Championship match against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on August 15, is yet to be determined.
This injury adds to India’s existing concerns, as several other players are also sidelined. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is out due to a knee injury, while Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (quad), and Washington Sundar (hamstring) are also unavailable for the tour.
Bowlers gain rhythm after slow start
Despite the early setback with their captain, India’s bowlers gradually found their rhythm during the warm-up match. After a humid morning, the conditions in Colombo became more pleasant in the afternoon, aiding the bowlers in finding their length.
Kuldeep Yadav was particularly active, frequently shouting instructions and testing the middle order on a pitch that presented challenges for the bowlers. Other bowlers, including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Manav Suthar, also took time to settle into their spells.
Saransh Jain was the seventh bowler to be used, following a similar pattern of finding his rhythm as the day progressed. Notably, Auqib Nabi, who joined the team as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah, did not bowl and was on drinks duty with the support staff and net bowlers. This suggests the team management’s approach for the upcoming two fixtures.
Behind the stumps, there was also a rotation. Rishabh Pant initially wore the gloves, with Dhruv Jurel later replacing him after starting the day in a close-in fielding position. The warm-up provided a beneficial workout for the bowlers, who navigated the hot and humid conditions before a gentle breeze offered some relief in the final hours of play.
The SLC XI posted a score of 363 for 8 at stumps. For India, Manav Suthar took 2/33, Ravindra Jadeja claimed 2/64, and Kuldeep Yadav secured 2/76. Gurnoor Brar also contributed with 1/49. The pitch showed some turn for the spinners as the day concluded, indicating a potentially enticing second day when India bats.
Fan presence and match details
The atmosphere at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) Ground was enlivened by the presence of Mohammed Nilam, a dedicated Sri Lankan fan. Dressed in an Indian cricket team training jersey, Nilam enthusiastically cheered for the home side, making his presence felt every time an SLC XI batter hit a boundary. He has a history of interacting with Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ajinkya Rahane, who have greeted him in the past.
The NCC facility, located near the venue for the second India-Sri Lanka Test later this month, was largely deserted for the three-day fixture. However, as India began to take wickets consistently, the area around the members’ cafe and media desk became busier. A few spectators gathered at the railing to watch the final overs, using their smartphones to capture moments with the cricketers.
The warm-up match provided valuable overs for the Indian bowlers, particularly Kuldeep Yadav, who gained much-needed practice. The series schedule includes the first Test from August 15-19 in Galle, followed by the second Test from August 23-27 in Colombo. These matches hold significant importance for both teams in the race for the World Test Championship Final, with India and Sri Lanka currently holding fifth and sixth positions in the standings, respectively.
The brief scores for SLC XI were 363 for 8 after 90 overs, with Ravindu Rasantha scoring 71, Nishan Fernando 66, and Sonal Dinusha 52.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
