TL;DR
- Shubman Gill's neck injury status is a key concern for India's second Test against South Africa.
- Gill has returned to the hotel from hospital and medical assessments are encouraging.
- An inter-spinous ligament injury is suspected, causing pain after a forceful slog-sweep shot.
- His availability for the Guwahati Test is uncertain; Pant may captain if Gill is rested.
Shubman Gill, India's captain, is currently the focus of attention as the team prepares for the second Test match against South Africa, scheduled to take place in Guwahati.
His neck injury in the first Test at Eden Gardens left the fans and the team shocked as India was left with a batter short in the 30-run defeat.
With the second Test mere days off, India would rather not be without their captain at such a pivotal juncture. Gill has appeared confident as a leader, and his contribution in the middle order is also quite significant. Therefore, the key query remains: will he be fit for the series-deciding match?
Shubman Gill's injury status remains a key concern.
Gill has been discharged from The Kolkata hospital and has returned to the team's hotel. Initial assessments from the medical staff are more encouraging than many anticipated on Day 2.
He can walk correctly, turn his neck gradually, and the painful rigidity experienced immediately following the event has subsided.
MORE: Are India missing coach Shastri? Fans slam Gambhir loss at Eden
Reports indicate Gill sustained an inter-spinous ligament injury, accounting for the abrupt discomfort he experienced following the forceful slog-sweep. He underwent an MRI and remained under observation primarily for pain management and to rule out any more significant damage.
Gill experienced a difficult time during the Kolkata Test.
The injury occurred late on Day 2, during a situation that didn't seem perilous at first. Gill entered the field following a pause, successfully defended a shot, and then attempted a powerful sweep on the subsequent ball.
Immediately after taking the shot, he clutched the back of his neck and stopped, clearly in pain. It resembled a whiplash injury, occurring when the body moves forward and the neck abruptly jerks backward. The team's physiotherapist hurried over, and within minutes, Gill was forced to withdraw from the match due to injury.
Later that evening, he was taken to the hospital wearing a cervical collar as a precaution. His absence was felt badly when India collapsed while chasing 124, eventually losing the match by 30 runs.
READ: How can India qualify for the WTC final 2027?
Gill's status for IND vs SA Guwahati Test unclear.
On November 19, the BCCI took to their Twitter (X) and revealed details of his neck injury leading his hospitalisation. The Indian captain has been responding well to the medical treatment in Kolkata and is fit to travel to Guwahati on Wednesday.
A source close to the BCCI indicated the board won't assume any undue risk with Gill and plans to rest him from the second Test if required. Should this happen, Pant would assume captaincy duties in Guwahati.
The board and management will await medical advice before deciding on his involvement in the Guwahati Test, but Nitish Kumar Reddy has been added to the squad as cover, should Gill be unable to play. India is currently down 0–1 in the series, and his presence would significantly benefit the team.