India captain Shubman Gill returned to batting in the nets on Sunday after recovering from a finger injury sustained before the team’s three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Broadcast footage showed the 26-year-old padded up and practising during the morning session on the third day at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground.

Gill suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger during India’s training session on Thursday, a day before the practice match began. The Board of Control for Cricket in India subsequently said he would not take the field on the opening day as a precaution. His return to net practice represents a positive development ahead of the forthcoming Test series.

India declared their first innings at the overnight score of 357 for six after Sri Lanka Cricket XI had earlier declared at 363 for eight. The visitors resumed bowling on Sunday morning while Gill trained away from the match action. He did not bat during India’s innings, with KL Rahul performing the stand-in captaincy duties in his absence.

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Devdutt Padikkal led India’s batting effort with an unbeaten 142, strengthening his case ahead of the Test series. Gill’s fitness remains important to the team’s preparations because he is expected to lead India when the two-match series begins in Galle. The warm-up fixture offered the squad its final match practice before the World Test Championship campaign resumes.

India have faced several injury concerns leading into the series. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Washington Sundar were ruled out, while Bumrah’s initial selection had been subject to fitness clearance. He reportedly experienced knee discomfort during rehabilitation, delaying his expected return despite having nearly four weeks to recover before the opening Test.

Left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan also failed to regain fitness in time for the tour. He had suffered an injury during the second match against Sri Lanka A and continued rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Against that backdrop, Gill’s return to batting practice provides India with some relief, although the team had not issued a further formal update on his availability.

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