Gill's injury a jolt, Reddy can be tried in Perth and Brisbane: Ganguly

PTI New Delhi: Shubman Gill's thumb fracture is certainly a "jolt" for India ahead of the series opener against Australia but former captain Sourav Ganguly firmly believes the team has the quality and mental fortitude to overcome the recent shock loss at home in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Perth from Friday. Gill, who has five hundreds in 29 Tests, had scored a fifty in Melbourne and a game-setting 91 at Brisbane in the two victories on the previous tour. He suffered a left thumb fracture while fielding in the intra-squad simulation between senior team and India A, ruling him out of the first Test. "Shubman's injury is jolt for the team no doubt as he is an in-form batter and has scored in Australia. A thumb fracture could rule him out for two Tests.

Why are we talking about transition? The talks over a possible transition post the shock loss to New Zealand has gained traction but the 51-year-old finds no merit in that argument. "Transitions will happen when it has to happen. I think any player shouldn't be judged on basis of age. Form and fitness should be the only two criteria to judge a player." If there are two batters that Ganguly is looking forward to seeing in the series, it is Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. "I have full confidence in Virat Kohli. He has been a proven performer and he will have a very good series. Kohli and second best Test batter in the current line-up Rishabh will be key," he added.