Shubman Gill resumes batting in Colombo warm-up after right ring-finger injury

India captain Shubman Gill returned to action on Sunday, walking out to open the innings in India's chase of 207 against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in the final innings of the Colombo warm-up match. He had missed the opening two days after suffering a right ring-finger injury during training in Colombo.

His return comes at an important time for India, with the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle scheduled for August 15. The captain was seen batting in the nets at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground earlier on Sunday before taking his place at the top of the order. His absence had been confirmed at the toss on Friday morning after he sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during Thursday's practice session. KL Rahul led the side in his absence.

The injury incident followed a difficult nets session in which Gill was struck on the right hand while batting and then took another blow during a slip-catching drill. While initial assessments did not indicate serious structural damage, India chose not to take any chances with their Test captain. The medical team monitored his progress as the squad managed his return to training.

Gill heads into the Sri Lanka series in strong red-ball form. The 26-year-old has scored 1,109 runs in his last 10 Tests, including six centuries, and remains central to India's plans at the start of their new Test campaign.

India's squad is already coping with several absences: Jasprit Bumrah has already been ruled out of the two-Test series, while Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are also sidelined with injuries. Sai Sudharsan was subsequently ruled out of the series after suffering a stress fracture to his toe.

With the first Test just days away, Gill's appearance in the final innings of the warm-up provides India a timely fitness check and allows the captain some match time in the middle before the Test campaign begins in Galle.