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GUWAHATI: India Test captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa, scheduled to begin here on November 21, ESPNcricinfo reported on Thursday.
Gill, who suffered a neck injury on the second day of the first Test in Kolkata, has failed to recover sufficiently ahead of the Guwahati Test.
The 26-year-old retired hurt on four and did not return to complete his innings, nor did he take the field for the remainder of the match.
India ultimately lost the first Test by 30 runs, after being dismissed for 93 while chasing 124 on a pitch with uneven bounce.
He had previously missed a Test against New Zealand in October 2024 due to a neck spasm, too.
With Shubman Gill sidelined, vice-captain Rishabh Pant will assume the captaincy for the Guwahati Test.
According to ESPNcricinfo, medical advice suggests that playing too soon carries a high risk of recurrence for Gill, prompting doctors to recommend additional rest.
Gill’s absence also casts uncertainty over his inclusion in India’s ODI squad for the three-match series against South Africa starting on November 30, with selections expected to be announced on November 23.
India now face a selection dilemma, with Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy emerging as potential replacements for the injured captain.
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