Gill’s availability for Guwahati a major doubt despite discharge from the hospital after suffering a neck spasm.
India captain Shubman Gill’s availability for the second test at Guwahati is a major doubt despite his discharge from the hospital.
Shubman Gill, the captain of India’s Test team, has been released from the hospital where he was being treated for a neck spasm he suffered during the first Test match against South Africa in Kolkata. However, he is still uncertain for the second Test, which begins on Saturday in Guwahati.
Gill is not anticipated to participate in India’s Tuesday morning training session in Kolkata. Gill is unlikely to travel with the squad on Wednesday since commercial flight travel is not recommended for those healing from neck problems. The team is scheduled to go to Guwahati on Wednesday.
At the news conference following the game, head coach Gautam Gambhir stated that Gill was “still being assessed” and that the team and physiotherapist would shortly conduct another evaluation. Gill’s absence in the fourth innings left India a batter short in their 30-run loss in a low-scoring game.
“It was tough because we always knew we were one down,” Gambhir said after India were bowled out for 93 in their chase of 124. “Obviously, Shubman wasn’t there, and then losing two before lunch, we were literally three down. But we always felt that if we got those partnerships, a 50-run partnership or two 40-run partnerships, we would’ve been in the game.”
Devdutt Padikkal and B Sai Sudharsan, both left-hand batsmen, could take Gill’s place if he is unable to play in the upcoming Test. Sudharsan had a top score of 32 in four innings for India A against South Africa A earlier this month, but he made 87 and 39 against the West Indies in Delhi. Padikkal returned three single-digit scores and a 24 against South Africa A. He participated in one Test apiece in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the home series against England.
India would have seven left-hand hitters in their starting lineup for the Guwahati Test if that is the only adjustment they make. For the first time, India used six left-handed hitters in Kolkata. Six of the eight wickets that off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed during the Kolkata Test came from left-handed hitters, while part-time offspinner Aiden Markram also dismissed one left-hand batter.