new dellhi, nov 19
Two days before the potentially series-defining second Test against South Africa at the Assam Cricket Stadium here, uncertainty continues to surround Shubman Gill’s availability. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Wednesday that the India captain is “responding well” to treatment for his neck injury and has been cleared to travel from Kolkata to Guwahati with the rest of the squad. Gill sustained the injury while batting in the first Test in Kolkata, where he was later hospitalised as India slipped to a third-day defeat and fell 0–1 behind in the two-match series against the reigning World Test Champions.
Despite widespread speculation about his unavailability, the BCCI has stopped short of ruling the 26-year-old out of the second Test. A final call will be taken closer to the match. Gill was seen wearing a neck brace when he arrived at the Kolkata airport on Wednesday morning, visibly limiting his movement. “Team India captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test against South Africa and was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day’s play. He was kept under observation and discharged the next day,” the BCCI said.
“Shubman has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on 19th November, 2025. He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team and a decision on his participation in the 2nd Test will be taken accordingly,” it added. Gill’s absence proved costly in Kolkata as India failed to chase 124 in the second innings and folded for 93, losing by 30 runs. In the first innings, too, Gill had managed just 4 before retiring hurt on Day 2 and being taken to hospital. With him unavailable, Rishabh Pant stepped in as captain, but his decision not to open Day 3 with Jasprit Bumrah sparked criticism and highlighted the leadership void. If Gill misses the Guwahati Test, India will have to revisit their batting combination. The management will have to consider whether to field Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan, both left-handers in a lineup that already included six left-hand batters in Kolkata. South African off-spinner Simon Harmer exploited that imbalance to devastating effect, claiming eight wickets including four in the second innings, and was named Player of the Match.
Both Sai and Padikkal were seen training intensely during an optional session in Kolkata on Tuesday, two days after the defeat. India have also recalled all-rounder Nitish Reddy, a right-handed batter, who rejoined the squad on Tuesday. There is also the possibility of bringing in a right-hander from outside the squad with former India opener Akash Chopra floating Ruturaj Gaikwad’s name, pointing to the overload of left-handers.
“Just in case he doesn’t become available, you will have to play someone. You have Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal sitting outside, two more left-handers. You already have six left-handers in the XI. Do you want to go with seven? You might want to change that,” Chopra said on his YouTube show.
