Indian opener Shubman Gill has suffered a stress fracture on his left shin. He is likely to be out from the five-match test series between India and England. Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul are his possible replacements. Apart from them, Bengal cricketer Abhimanyu Easwaran is also a stand-by on the tour.
Despite this, there are speculations about Indian Team asking for Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal to join the squad. However, it is unclear whether Chetan Sharma, India’s chief selector is on the same page as the Indian team management. Shaw and Padikkal are currently in Sri Lanka on a limited-overs tour.
“Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the entire test series in the UK with shin splints that will take a minimum three weeks to heal. The team’s administrative manager, at the end of last month, had sent an email requisition to former pacer Sharma asking for two more openers to be sent to the UK.” said a BCCI source to PTI.
Chetan Sharma and his selection committee haven’t taken any decision yet.
No formal request to the BCCI President
The Indian team has not put in a formal request to the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.
“The BCCI president hasn’t yet received any formal request about sending Shaw and Padikkal to the United Kingdom. They are in Sri Lanka for the white ball series but obviously after it ends on July 26, both can be flown in. But I think team management wants them to join before entering the bio-bubble in Durham.” added the BCCI source.
The Indian team may also only ask for Prithvi Shaw. When asked about this, the official said,
“Let them put forth an official mail, and then it can be taken forward. Also Prithvi is an integral part of the white ball team in Sri Lanka now and his focus is fully on that tour. You already have 23 players in the UK, including three specialist openers, even if we discount Easwaran.”
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