India’s star opener, Shubman Gill, is likely to miss the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand in Bengaluru. The 25-year-old has been dealing with a stiff neck and has spent much of his time under the care of physiotherapists rather than practicing on the field.
While neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor captain Rohit Sharma made an official statement during the pre-match press conference, the team is expected to make a last-minute decision regarding Gill’s fitness. If he is unable to play, Sarfaraz Khan is likely to take his place in the playing XI, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Sarfaraz Khan Expected to Replace Gill
If Shubman Gill is ruled out of the match, Sarfaraz Khan is expected to make a return to the Indian Test side. The 26-year-old previously made his Test debut earlier this year against England, where he played three matches in the five-Test series, scoring 200 runs at an impressive average of 50.
Although his recent performances in the Duleep Trophy were not very impressive, he shone in the Irani Cup with a match-winning double-century for Mumbai. Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in Sarfaraz’s abilities, and he might even be slotted to bat at number three in Gill’s absence. However, there is also the possibility that KL Rahul could take the number three spot, with Sarfaraz batting at number six.
Rain Threatens to Disrupt Bengaluru Test
Weather could play a significant role in the first Test, as heavy rains have been reported in Bengaluru ahead of the match. According to AccuWeather, there is a high probability of rain on October 16 and 18, potentially affecting the game.
Despite the forecast, the ground infrastructure at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is well-equipped to handle such conditions, minimizing the risk of long delays.
While Day 1 might face interruptions, Day 2 is expected to be mostly cloudy and windy but without significant rainfall, allowing play to continue with minimal impact. The team management will be keeping a close eye on both the weather and Gill’s fitness ahead of the crucial encounter.
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