India's vice-captain Shubman Gill was left out of the playing XI for the fifth and final T20I against South Africa on Friday, December 19, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
His absence from the lineup surprised many fans. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, during the toss, confirmed that Gill was unavailable due to a minor niggle.
The BCCI issued an official update regarding the batter's fitness, stating that Gill had injured his toe during batting practice ahead of the fourth T20I. The statement read:
“Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets on 16th December in Lucknow. After consulting a specialist and getting treatment with the BCCI medical team, he is improving but will be unavailable for selection for the final T20I in Ahmedabad.”
Shubman Gill managed only 32 runs in three innings, scoring at a strike rate of 103.22. India head into the final T20I holding a 2-1 lead in the series, after the fourth match in Lucknow was called off without a toss due to heavy fog.
BCCI provides injury update as Shubman Gill misses 5th T20I vs SA
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provided an update on vice-captain Shubman Gill's injury, which has ruled him out of India's fifth T20I against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday, December 19. The opening batter suffered a foot injury ahead of the abandoned fourth T20I in Lucknow, effectively ending his participation in the series.
Gill had traveled with the Indian squad despite being unavailable for the fourth T20I, where Sanju Samson was set to replace him. Even though he was present at the venue and took part in warm-ups before the toss, Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Gill is not fit to feature in the playing XI.
“Shubman picked up a niggle in Lucknow, Sanju comes in for him.” he said at the toss after being put into bat first.