Colombo, August 7, 2026 — India captain Shubman Gill will miss the opening day of the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI after sustaining an impact injury to his right ring finger during a practice session on Thursday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Friday.

Vice-captain KL Rahul has taken charge of the side in Gill’s absence. SLC XI won the toss and elected to bat first at the venue in Colombo.

In an official statement released shortly after the toss, the BCCI said: “Captain Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during India’s practice on Thursday. As a precautionary measure, he will not take the field on Day 1 of the warm-up game against SLC XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.”

The warm-up fixture, reduced from four days to three, serves as a key preparatory outing for India ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 15 in Galle. Having last played Test cricket in June, the Indian team is using this match to acclimatise to local conditions that traditionally favour spin bowling.

The fixture also marks the beginning of Subhadeep Ghosh’s tenure as fielding coach. The BCCI opted not to extend the contracts of previous fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.

Within the squad, left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan continues to make steady progress from a niggle while training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. However, India remain without premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is sidelined by a knee injury. Bumrah’s absence has opened the door for Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi to receive his maiden Test call-up. Off-spin bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain has also been included, a selection aimed at countering Sri Lanka’s left-hander-heavy batting line-up.

Currently ranked fifth in the World Test Championship table, India require a strong performance in the forthcoming series to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the final. The warm-up provides an important platform for the team to refine strategies, assess combinations and adapt to the subcontinental surfaces they will encounter in Galle and beyond.

Medical staff are closely tracking Gill’s recovery. The decision to rest him on Day 1 is described as precautionary, with further updates expected based on his progress over the remaining days of the warm-up and in the lead-up to the first Test.

Rahul’s leadership experience is expected to provide continuity as the side navigates the early stages of the practice match. The presence of new faces such as Nabi and Jain adds depth and competition within the bowling unit, while the change in the coaching staff signals a fresh approach to fielding standards.

With the Test series against Sri Lanka approaching rapidly, every session of this shortened warm-up carries significance. India will look to maximise the remaining days to fine-tune their preparations under the watchful eye of the medical and coaching teams.

The outcome of Gill’s injury assessment will be closely followed, given his central role as captain and top-order batter. For now, the focus remains on careful management and ensuring the squad is as ready as possible for the challenges that lie ahead in the two-match series.