‘We’ll welcome them into the squad soon’ – India coach shares major update on Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer injuries

The Indian team is heading into the One-Day Internationals against South Africa without their captain-vice-captain duo of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, both of whom are undergoing their respective rehabilitation from respective injuries. Iyer had faced a laceration in his spleen during the Australia tour, while Shubman picked up a neck issue in the recent Kolkata Test, forcing him to leave the match midway.

Now, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has provided a major update on the injury statuses of both the star batters. Morkel informed the reporters ahead of the first ODI that he had had a conversation with the Indian captain after the second Guwahati Test and was confident of his speedy recovery. Similar goes with Shreyas as well, who has already started his preparations to be back in the squad soon.

“The best is for the BCCI medical team to give update on Shubman Gill’s health update. I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him, and he is recovering well. So, that is pleasing to hear. Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. So, we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. The good thing is that they are healthy, and they are starting their preparation on their way back into the team,” Morkel said ahead of the Ranchi tie.

In place of both the injured players, KL Rahul was chosen to be the captain for the three games, and the team has also called some names to fill the opener and middle-order spots instead of the injured duo. Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to be the opener alongside Rohit Sharma. However, the presence of Ruturaj Gaikwad also adds an extra thinking to be done, given the Maharashtra batter has a better List-A record.

The first ODI of the series will be played on Sunday, November 30 at the JSCA International Sports Complex, Ranchi, post which the teams will travel to Raipur for the second encounter at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on December 3. The third and final match of the series will be played on December 6 at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA International Stadium in Visakhapatnam.