Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has expressed concerns regarding Shubman Gill’s injury woes ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka. Gill suffered a neck injury in 2025 while playing in the first Test match against South Africa at Kolkata.

That injury kept him out of the second Test against the Proteas. In the recent ODI series against England, Gill suffered from cramps after breaching the 50-run mark in the first and third games.

Gill also suffered a finger injury ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka while training.

“If I were Shubman Gill, I would be concerned because I am a young captain, I have done a great job, or a very good job, in leading India so far. For somebody who is scaling different heights in international cricket, you don’t want any discontinuity; you want to make sure you are playing each and every game for your own form or stature in world cricket,” Murali Kartik told a select group of reporters during a chat organised by Sony Sports Network.

“Every cricketer is ambitious; they want to do well, he wants to be remembered for what he has done. Whether the injuries affect his captaincy, I don’t know. Will it affect his future? I don’t know. For the time being, for the good health of Indian cricket, you want the good health of Shubman Gill,” he added.

The former left-arm orthodox spinner said there will be pressure on Gill to deliver as a leader of the team.

“From a captaincy point of view, you are as good as your last game, you are as good as your last series. Also, having that crown on the head, heavy is the head that wears the crown, especially in Indian cricket. So, for that, Shubman Gill will always be questioned about whatever he does, whatever he is doing. There are so many people who will dissect his every move. So, it is never easy, there will be a lot of pressure on him, and there is a lot of pressure on this series as well,” Murali Kartik stated.

India will face Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle from August 15.