Star Indian batter Shubman Gill suffered a fractured left thumb while attempting a low catch in the slip cordon during a simulated training game on the second day. This injury has cast serious doubts over his availability for the opening Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
However, bowling coach Morne Morkel has provided a glimmer of hope, suggesting that Gill’s recovery is progressing well. Addressing the media, Morkel shared that a decision on Gill’s participation will be made on the morning of the Test. “Shubman is improving day by day. We’ll take a call on him before the match. He has been playing well in the build-up, so fingers crossed,” said Morne Morkel, keeping fans optimistic.
Meanwhile, Morne Morkel also spoke highly of young seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed in his debut T20I series against Bangladesh last month. Highlighting the 21-year-old’s potential role in the Test series, Morkel noted Reddy’s ability to provide balance to the team.
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“He’s one of the young talents with solid batting and all-round ability. He can hold one end, especially in the first few days, allowing our pacers to take a breather. He’s a wicket-to-wicket bowler, and any team would want an all-rounder who can ease the workload of the fast bowlers,” Morne Morkel explained.
Nitish Reddy’s first-class record, featuring 779 runs and 56 wickets in 23 matches, has earned him attention as a promising prospect. His inclusion against a formidable side like Australia presents a test of his mettle, particularly with valuable World Test Championship (WTC) points on the line.
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As India gears up for this crucial series, Shubman Gill’s potential absence could be a significant blow to the batting lineup. However, the emergence of players like Reddy offers the team a fresh dimension, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. Fans eagerly await updates on Gill’s fitness and look forward to seeing how the youngster performs under pressure.
