Shubman Gill is set to miss India's second Test against South Africa starting on Friday in Guwahati after failing to recover sufficiently from the neck injury he suffered during the first Test in Kolkata last week. Vice captain Rishabh Pant will stand-in as captain.
It is understood that according to medical advice, the risk of Gill suffering a recurrence of neck spasms is high if he plays so soon. He has been advised more rest. The development could also impact his selection in the ODI squad for the three matches against South Africa starting on November 30. The squad for that series is expected to be picked on November 23.
With Gill set to miss out, India will have to choose one of Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Kumar Reddy as his replacement.
Gill was admitted to hospital after the second day of the Kolkata Test, following the decision to retire hurt after facing only three balls in India's first innings. On the morning of the third day, the BCCI said he would take no further part in the Test. India went on to lose the match by 30 runs, after getting dismissed for 93 in a chase of 124 on a pitch with uneven bounce. Gill had missed a Test against New Zealand in October 2024 due to a neck spasm too.
More to follow ...