Shubman Gill Unlikely for 2nd Test But May Travel to Boost Team Morale: Sources
Shubman Gill remains doubtful for the 2nd Test but may travel to support India despite injury.
India Captain Shubman Gill is set to make a remarkable leadership gesture by travelling with the team to Guwahati for the second Test against South Africa despite being almost certainly ruled out of the match due to a serious neck injury. Sources close to the team confirmed that the 25-year-old, who was discharged from Kolkata’s Woodlands Hospital on Sunday after spending time in ICU as a precaution, has been medically advised against air travel to avoid aggravating the injury. Yet Gill is determined to join the squad, lift morale, and remain actively involved in strategy discussions as India chases a series-levelling victory starting November 22.
Gill sustained the injury while batting on day two of the Eden Gardens Test, forcing him to retire hurt and miss the remainder of the game. India eventually lost by 30 runs, handing South Africa a 1-0 lead. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant is expected to lead the side in Gill’s absence, with the final call on the captain’s participation to be taken only on November 21 after further medical evaluation. Insiders described the chances of Gill playing as “negligible” and warned that pushing too soon could have long-term career implications.
In a separate squad update, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recalled from India A duties for the decisive Test. Reddy, who was released before the Kolkata game to play the ongoing unofficial ODI series against South Africa A (where India A leads 2-0), impressed with a maiden Test century earlier this season. His return adds a right-handed batting option and seam-bowling depth to a lineup still reeling from the first-test collapse.
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The team is scheduled to depart for Guwahati on Wednesday, with Gill’s presence—even if only from the dressing room—seen as a major boost for a young side trailing in the series. His willingness to put the team before himself has been hailed within the camp as the ultimate captaincy statement ahead of what promises to be a high-stakes finale under lights at the Barsapara Stadium.
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