India captain Shubman Gill has denied reports of a communication gap between the team management and the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, saying the two sides have remained in regular contact over the fitness of injured players. Questions were raised after three players initially included in India's squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka were ruled out before the series.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the first Test, Gill said the team management had been closely following the rehabilitation of players at the CoE. "There is a constant communication with them. Unfortunately Sai Sudharsan did not improve as much as we liked as we can't take risks in Tests. But we are confident of our 15 (players)," Gill said at the pre-match press conference. Gill said the five-day nature of Test cricket meant India could not risk playing players who were not fully fit. "The Test match is for 5 days. If it's one-day or T20, then it's a different story. But in the Test match, you don't want to take a risk. I feel that in the Test match, you have more opportunities with other players (to come back)." He explained that players have several opportunities to contribute during a Test, even if they do not start well. "For example, if you don't play well on the first day, you get another chance. So, the players have more chances to come back. So, keeping that in mind, we were a little disappointed (with Sai and Bumrah)." "But it didn't affect the morale of the team that much that they didn't get the first 11. I feel that whoever is in our 15 or whoever we give a chance in our playing 11 in any condition, they can play well and win the game," he said. India will begin the series with Ravindra Jadeja as their only all-rounder, with Washington Sundar still recovering from injury. Gill backed young all-rounder Manav Suthar to contribute if he gets an opportunity during the series. "I think that's where someone like Manav coming in. He's got the ability with the bat. Of course, you need a bit of experience, you need some belief and confidence and that will only come once you're out there playing, when you score some runs. "And hopefully he does that in the series."
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