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Shubman Gill Doubtful for Second Test vs South Africa as Neck Injury Raises Concerns; India Face Crucial Selection Call
Summary: India face a selection crisis ahead of the Guwahati Test as skipper Shubman Gill battles acute neck pain and is unlikely to travel with the squad. With crucial points at stake, the team now weighs backup options while the medical staff monitor his recovery round the clock.
Team India may have to step onto the field in Guwahati without their captain and premier top-order batter Shubman Gill, who is battling acute neck pain that has restricted mobility and forced him into a medical neck collar. With the series delicately poised, Gill’s absence could significantly alter India’s approach heading into the second and final Test starting Saturday.
Sources in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) confirmed that Gill has not travelled with the squad and is currently under strict medical advisories, including avoiding flights for the next few days.
“He has acute neck pain and we are not allowed to share more details. He has been advised three to four days of complete rest and not to take a flight,” a CAB official told PTI.
The update also clarified that his condition will be reviewed daily, though his prospects of timely recovery appear slim as of now. The Indian team will leave for Guwahati on Wednesday, but Gill is expected to stay back unless the medical team clears him - a possibility that currently looks remote.
Injury Strikes at a Crucial Time for Team India
Gill’s injury has come at the worst possible moment. During the Kolkata Test, he was taken to a hospital on Day 2 after retiring hurt on just four runs. The BCCI later announced that he would take no further part in the match, leaving India a batter short in a low-scoring chase that they ultimately lost by 30 runs.
The skipper was discharged on Sunday evening, but the stiffness and pain in his neck persisted, making even basic rotation difficult. This is not the first time Gill has struggled with neck-related issues - he missed a Test against New Zealand in October 2024 due to a neck spasm. With Gill having played continuously across formats since IPL 2025, the medical staff have already been monitoring his workload closely.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, addressing the media after India’s defeat in Kolkata, said:
“Gill is still being assessed. The physio and medical team will run another round of evaluations before we decide anything.”
But the fact that he hasn't joined the team for travel speaks volumes about the seriousness of the situation.
Who Replaces Gill? India’s Opening Puzzle Intensifies
If Gill is officially ruled out, India will have to make a crucial decision at the top of the order. Two names are under serious consideration:
1. B Sai Sudharsan
- Scored an impressive 87 against West Indies earlier this year.
- However, has been inconsistent recently, managing a top score of just 32 during India A’s tour of South Africa.
- Offers stability, but his form has dipped in red-ball cricket.
2. Devdutt Padikkal
- In rich domestic form with consistent scores across formats.
- The left-handed option provides strategic variety.
- Has shown improved temperament in long-format games.
The team management may prefer Padikkal for his current form, but Sudharsan’s previous international exposure could also work in his favour.
Why Gill’s Absence Matters More Than Usual
Gill is not just an opener; he is India’s captain, tactical decision-maker, and one of the main run-scorers across formats this year. His absence in Kolkata visibly affected India’s fourth-innings structure, resulting in a fragile batting order that fell short in a modest chase.
With the series outcome hanging in the balance, missing their leader for the decider in Guwahati could be a psychological as well as strategic blow.
What Happens Next?
- A final call on Gill will be taken by Tuesday evening.
- India will conduct an optional training session, but Gill is unlikely to participate.
- The selectors and team management will then name the official replacement.
For now, India waits anxiously for medical updates, hoping for a late twist - though signs strongly point towards Gill sitting out.
keywords: Shubman Gill injury update, India vs South Africa Test, India cricket news, Shubman Gill neck pain, Gautam Gambhir update
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