In a massive setback for Team India, their vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the fourth T20I against South Africa which is slated to be played at the Ekana Cricket stadium in Lucknow on December 17.
Shubman Gill misses 4th T20I against South Africa
Sports Tak has learnt that the top-order batter sustained a toe injury during a recent training session right ahead of the match. While the severity of the injury has not been fully disclosed, the team management is taking all necessary precautionary measures to ensure he recovers quickly and avoids any long-term setbacks.
Sanju Samson to replace Shubman Gill?
With Gill sidelined, Team India is expected to reshuffle its batting order for the remaining games. Sanju Samson, who has been in and out of the spotlight, is the primary candidate to step in as an opener. This move provides Samson with a crucial opportunity to cement his place at the top of the order, especially as Gill had already been struggling with a dip in form prior to this physical setback.
Toss delayed due to fog
Meanwhile, the toss for the fourth T20I has been delayed due to fog. Toss was scheduled to take place at 6:30 pm IST, however it got delayed as an inspection will take place at 6:50 pm, which will give some clarity as to when the match will start.
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The 25-year-old’s latest injury is particularly concerning given his recent medical history. He had only just returned to the squad after a neck injury forced him to miss a significant portion of the Test series and the entirety of the ODI matches throughout November and early December. This second setback in such a short period has sparked a growing debate regarding the workload and fitness management of the player, who carries the heavy responsibility of captaining India in both the Test and ODI formats.
On the field, the Indian team remains in a strong position, currently leading the five-match T20I series 2-1. They head into the fourth encounter with high morale following a dominant display in the previous game. In that match, the Indian bowling unit dismantled the South African lineup, dismissing the hosts for a mere 117 runs. The batsmen then made quick work of the target, cruising to a comfortable seven-wicket victory.
A key factor in India's recent success has been the form of Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer was the pick of the bowlers in the last outing, maintaining exceptional control to finish with figures of 2 for 13 across his four-over spell. His ability to provide early breakthroughs and restrict scoring has given India a distinct advantage as they look to clinch the series in the upcoming matches.