Shubman Gill to Miss First Test Match Due to Leg Injury

Shubman Gill to Miss First Test

England vs India Test Match Series are all set to commence from 4th August 2021. Shubman Gill to Miss First Test Match because of his leg injury. The Indian Test team opener is reportedly suffering from an injury in the bottom part of his leg. This makes him unfit to play for the test match.

Shubman Gill had played for Punjab in domestic cricket and also for the Kolkata Knight Riders within the Indian Premier League as a right-handed opening batsman. He was born on 8th September 1999. Now, being 21 years old, he debuted in the Indian Cricket Team in 2019. He was drafted into India’s Under-19 side because of the vice-captain for the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Shubman scored 372 runs at a mean of 124.00 at the tournament, where he batted at number three to play an important role in India’s record fourth world title and was adjudged the edition’s Player of the Tournament.

The England vs India Test match consists of 5 series out of which Shubman Gill might miss on the first series. Right now, he is struggling to get fit in time. The reason for the injury is still unknown as the entire squad is on break. They would further join after a break from July 15 at Durham.

England vs India Test Match Series

The first test match starts on August 4, 2021, which is to be held at Nottingham. According to the official development team, it is uncertain whether Shubman would be available for the other part of the series. It is time and healing which would play a vital role in its decision. As of now, he has to wait till the management takes a final decision on factors of injury’s seriousness.

Shubman Gill has played only 8 test matches ever since. He also didn’t perform that well in the World Test Championship where he scored 28 and 8 respectively. He has an average score of 31.48. To look at the records, Shubman has scored 3 half-centuries. These were scored in India’s victorious Test campaign. Now to top all that up, Shubman Gill to miss the first test.

What makes Shubman Gill to miss first test?

As mentioned above, Shubman Gill is unfit because of his leg injury. According to some news sources, he is being monitored and taken care of by physio Nitin Patel. There is also a strength and conditioning coach assigned for his recovery. It is alleged that Shubman Gill has a calf muscle injury or a hamstring tear. It takes a significant time to recover from any of these two injuries. It is believed to internal injury with no words on the extent and severity.   

If the injury is found to be severe then there are high chances of ruling Shubman out. One month is not sufficient for a serious injury. He would be replaced by other alternate reserve openers from Team India.

Alternate Reserve Openers

If things don’t work out then India has a set of reserve openers. It consists of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul. Perhaps they may be there along with Rohit Sharma after proper decisions. Also, other standby players include Abhimanyu Easwaran. Usually, Agarwal was the first choice reserve opener in the past.

Shubman Gill made his debut on the Australia tour. Prithvi Shaw got replaced by him. Later on, he got more preference than Agarwal for partnership with Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill’s initial performance was great. But, it tapered off and got reduced in WTC Final.

Now, let us see what happens with the decision. Till then we are unsure about whether Shubman Gill to Miss First Test Match or not. Stay tuned.