Shubman Gill, India’s Test captain, has been ruled out of the Guwahati Test against South Africa. The second Test of the two-match series is set to begin on November 22.
During India’s first innings at Eden Gardens, Gill experienced a neck spasm while at the crease. He retired not out on Day 2 of the Test and was brought to a local hospital for further evaluation following the day’s play. Gill’s condition was checked overnight before he was discharged the following day.
The top-order batsman even flew to Guwahati on November 19. However, he will be unable to lead the team because he lacks match fitness. Rishabh Pant will be the stand-in skipper, while Gill is scheduled to travel to Mumbai to assess the full extent of his ailment.
Earlier, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had said that the team will not risk playing a half-fit Shubman Gill given that could aggravate the injury.
“He is definitely recovering really well,” Kotak had said in a press conference. “Now, the decision [whether to play him or not] will be taken tomorrow evening. The physios, doctors, they will have to take a call that, [even] if he is fully recovered, [during the] game, he should not get that spasm again.
“[…] If we have a, guarantee that, very likely, he won’t have this issue again, then he will play. If there is a doubt, then I am sure, he will take rest [for] one more game, because it won’t be helpful to the team [if he plays].”
Gill was observed jerking his neck shortly after hitting a boundary with the third ball of his innings. He was seen by a physio before deciding to walk back and retire hurt. He did not return to bat in the game, leaving India with one batter short in both innings, with vice-captain Pant taking over in Gill’s absence.
In terms of the match’s outcome, the Proteas were bowled out for 153 in their second innings, after India had taken a 30-run lead in the first. However, they were dismissed for 93, losing nine wickets (Gill did not bat). Only four players reached double figures as the South African spinners, led by Simon Harmer (4/21 in 14 overs), successfully defended an implausible 124-run total set for the hosts.
With Gill’s absence confirmed, all eyes will be on Pant and his ability to lead the side in a contest critical to India’s 2025/27 World Test Championship cycle. The wicketkeeper-batsman did not have the best of games (27 off 24 and 2 off 13) in his return to international cricket following a foot injury sustained during the England tour earlier this year.
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