Bhubaneswar:
Gill Sidelined With Neck Injury
India’s Test captain Shubman Gill will not play in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati due to a persistent neck injury. He first suffered the injury while batting in the first innings of the Kolkata Test and did not come out to field or bat later in that match.
Medical Team Confirms Monitoring, No Final Call Yet
After being taken to a Kolkata hospital during the first Test, Gill was kept under observation and subsequently discharged. The BCCI has stated that while he will travel with the team to Guwahati, a final decision on his fitness for the Test will be made closer to the start of the game.
Pant Steps In As Stand-In Leader
With Gill’s participation uncertain, Rishabh Pant is expected to take over as the captain for the second Test.
Possible Changes In Batting Line-Up
In Gill’s absence, Sai Sudharsan is being considered as his replacement in the playing XI. Meanwhile, sources say Devdutt Padikkal is also in contention, depending on how the team management wants to rebalance their batting.
India Under Pressure In Must-Win Match
India go into the Guwahati Test on the back of a 30-run defeat in Kolkata. A win is crucial if they want to level the two-match series and avoid a sweep.
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