India captain Shubman Gill has confirmed that the team management is in constant touch with injured players Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15.
Gill said the team is closely monitoring the fitness of the two players, who were initially included in the squad but have since been ruled out due to injuries. "Yes, we are in touch with them. There is constant monitoring on players and where they are (in terms of fitness)," Gill said at the pre-match press conference.
The injuries have raised concerns for the Indian camp, with the first Test just around the corner. Bumrah was ruled out due to a knee injury, while Sudharsan was sidelined with a toe niggle after failing to recover as expected.
The five-day nature of Test cricket has played a significant role in the team's decision to leave the injured players out, according to Gill. "The Test match is for 5 days. If it's one-day or T20, then it's a different story. But in the Test match, you don't want to take a risk," he explained.
Gill highlighted the fact that in Test cricket, players have more opportunities to make a comeback if they don't perform well on the first day. "For example, if you don't play well on the first day, you get another chance. So, the players have more chances to come back," he added.
The absence of Sudharsan and Bumrah is a significant blow to the Indian team, but Gill remains confident in the team's bench strength. "I feel that whoever is in our 15 or whoever we give a chance in our playing 11 in any condition, they can play well and win the game," he said.
The first Test of the two-match tour of Sri Lanka will begin on August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The second Test is scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
The Indian team will now look to regroup and focus on the task at hand, with a new-look squad taking to the field in Galle. Despite the setbacks, Gill remains optimistic about the team's chances. The next few days will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series.
Source: Yahoo Sports