Shubman Gill’s Neck Injury Forces Test Hiatus; Pant Steps In

Shubman Gill, India’s Test captain, will not participate in the second Test against South Africa, scheduled to take place on November 22 in Guwahati. Rishabh Pant, who serves as the vice-captain, will assume the captaincy for this pivotal Freedom Trophy 2025 fixture. Gill’s absence stems from a neck injury he incurred during the first innings of the Kolkata Test. He was forced to leave the field after facing only three deliveries and was immediately taken for medical evaluation at a hospital. Consequently, he was unable to resume his innings and has been ruled out of the subsequent match. Furthermore, there are indications that Gill might also miss the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. This decision is reportedly driven by the team management’s commitment to prioritizing player welfare and avoiding any potential re-injury given the extensive international calendar. The aim is to ensure Gill is fully recuperated for India’s future cricketing endeavors. If Gill is sidelined for the Guwahati Test, Rishabh Pant will continue to lead the side as India looks to bounce back from their 30-run defeat in the first Test in Kolkata. The incident occurred on the second day of the Test, appearing to be a whiplash-type injury sustained while playing a shot. Initial medical reports were positive after his hospital discharge, but Gill was later seen with a neck brace, signifying restricted mobility. The BCCI has announced that Gill will travel with the squad to Guwahati, with a definitive decision on his availability pending further assessment. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been added to the Indian team and could be in contention for a place in the playing XI should Gill’s injury necessitate team adjustments.