Team India selectors opt against flying in backup openers for Shubman Gill ahead of England Tests

Ahead of the five-match Test series against England, Team India were faced with turmoil after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a leg injury. The youngster has sustained shin splints and needs a minimum of three months to heal. Later, the Indian team management sent an email on Monday, June 28, asking for a replacement of the Fazilka-born Gill.

The series starts on August 4 and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants Shubman to return home. Subsequently, Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal, who both are gearing up for the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka, were reported to being Gill’s replacement.

“They have left it to the selectors to name a replacement, be it Prithvi Shaw or Devdutt Padikkal or whoever,” an official privy to the developments was quoted as saying in Cricbuzz.

“The Sri Lanka series will end on July 26, both can be flown in. But I think, team management wants them to join before entering the bio-bubble in Durham,” sources said.

Rohit and Mayank set to open in England Tests

However, if reports are to be believed, the selectors have turned down the management’s plea of flying in Shubman’s replacement. The management and the Chairman of Selectors, Chetan Sharma, didn’t seem to think on the same lines.

With no addition to the Test squad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, who’s in the reserves for the England tour, will be drafted in. As per Sports Tak, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal are set to open the batting for Virat Kohli and Co going into the high-profile series.

Mayank has had to warm the bench ever since Gill made his Test debut in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. After a bit of a stutter, he’ll be looking to prove a point. Mayank was also in impressive form while playing for the Punjab Kings in the IPL.

In the meantime, KL Rahul, who was picked as a middle-order batter, can open as well if needed. Rahul last donned the whites during the 2019 tour of the West Indies.

The Trent Bridge in Nottingham will host the opening Test followed by the ones at the Lord’s, Kennington Oval, Headingley, and Old Trafford.