The BCCI has not yet officially put out an update on Gill’s injury, but it is understood that while the fracture is minor, the top-order batter might be in a race to make the second Test, a day-night match that starts after a long gap, from December 6 in Adelaide, because of a two-day warm-up match between India and Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra starting November 30.
Gill’s absence in Perth means India will now have to reshuffle their batting plans for the first Test starting from November 22. With no certainty yet about India captain Rohit Sharma’s availability for the first Test, India will have to fill two vacant spots at the top of the order – an opening partner for Yashasvi Jaiswal and No. 3 – if Rohit doesn’t make it in time.
Abhimanyu landed in Australia on the back of spectacular form in domestic cricket in India, having scored four centuries in as many red-ball games. But the returns dipped on Australian soil as he fetched scores of 0, 17, 7 and 12 against Australia A in the two games. He was out to pace bowling three out of four times, twice edging the ball behind and once to a bouncer, and run-out the fourth time.
Padikkal’s returns would inspire the team management more, although he is not part of the main Test squad. He scored 26 and 1 at the MCG after 36 and 88 in the first-four day game.
