However, Morkel, while speaking to the media ahead of the BGT opener expressed enthusiasm about Gill’s improvement. He said that the final call on the right-hand batter’s participation in the Test will be taken on the morning of November 22, before the IND vs AUS Test starts.
“Shubman is improving on a day-by-day basis. We will take a call on the morning of the Test. He played well in the match simulation during the build-up, so fingers crossed,” Morkel said during a media interaction.
In the simulation match, Shubman Gill scored 28 runs in the first innings before being dismissed at gully off Navdeep Saini's delivery. He later returned to the crease and remained unbeaten on 42*.
With Rohit unavailable, KL Rahul was initially expected to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Perth Test. However, with Gill running the risk to be ruled out due to a thumb injury, Rahul might shift to the number three position.
This could pave the way for Abhimanyu Easwaran to earn his maiden Test cap and open the innings alongside Jaiswal. Despite managing just 36 runs across four innings for India A against Australia A, he remains the leading contender for a spot in the playing 11.
