India is closely monitoring Shubman Gill’s fitness ahead of the opening Test against Australia at Perth Stadium. The 25-year-old batsman has been recovering from a fractured left thumb, sustained while fielding at slip last week.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel expressed optimism about Gill’s progress, stating, “Shubman is improving every day. It’s a day-to-day process, and we’ll make a decision on the morning of the Test.”
The first Test begins on Friday, with India opting for squad sessions over a practice game. Gill’s availability is crucial, especially with captain Rohit Sharma set to miss the match due to the birth of his second child. Gill’s absence could increase the pressure on India’s relatively inexperienced batting lineup on Australia’s fast and bouncy pitches.
However, Morkel is confident the younger players will step up, saying, “It’s a great learning opportunity to face such a high-quality bowling attack.”
India’s challenges extend beyond Gill. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action for nearly a year due to injuries, is not part of the squad. Despite a strong comeback performance in domestic cricket last week, Morkel emphasized the need to ease him back into international cricket, stating, “We need to respect his recovery process. It’s a win that he’s back playing and taking wickets.”
The upcoming five-match series is crucial for both teams. India is reeling from their first home series loss in 12 years and seeks redemption. Adding to the pressure are questions about the form of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom struggled in a recent series against New Zealand.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting stirred controversy by questioning their selection, prompting strong rebuttals from India’s coach Gautam Gambhir and former coach Ravi Shastri.
Kohli, who has an exceptional record in Australia, is being closely watched. Shastri voiced confidence, saying, “The king is back in his territory,” highlighting Kohli’s six centuries and a batting average of 54.08 on Australian soil.
The series also holds significant stakes for the World Test Championship. To secure a spot in the final at Lord’s, India must win at least five of their remaining seven matches in this cycle. Meanwhile, Australia is grappling with its own transition, searching for a solid opener to replace retired David Warner.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been extended to five Tests for the first time since 1991-92, reflecting its stature alongside the Ashes. After Perth, the teams will play a day-night match in Adelaide, followed by games in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. India will look to retain their dominance, having won the last two Test series in Australia.
This showdown promises high-stakes cricket and could redefine the future of key players on both sides.
