India has been dealt a major setback ahead of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, as captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test in Kolkata. In his absence, Rishabh Pant is set to lead the team, while left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan is likely to be drafted into the playing XI.
Gill injured his neck while batting in the first innings at Eden Gardens and did not take the field during South Africa’s second innings. He also missed India’s run chase of 124, which ended in a 30-run defeat. The 26-year-old was taken to a Kolkata hospital after Day 2 for observation and was released the following day.
According to a BCCI update on Wednesday, Gill will still travel with the team to Guwahati and continue to be monitored by the medical staff. The statement said:
“Shubman has been responding well to treatment and will join the squad in Guwahati on November 19 for continued assessment.”
India enter the second Test in a must-win situation to level the two-match series. On Tuesday, the team held an optional training session at Eden Gardens, which included Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Devdutt Padikkal.
