India captain Shubman Gill faces uncertainty for the second Test against South Africa due to a recurring neck spasm, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Thursday. Gill had retired hurt during India’s first innings in Kolkata, where the hosts lost by 30 runs, but traveled with the team to Guwahati on Wednesday.
Kotak said Gill is recovering well, but the final decision on his participation will be made tomorrow evening. “If we have a guarantee that very likely he won’t have this issue again, then he will play. If there is a doubt, he will take a rest for one more game, because it won’t be helpful to the team,” he added.
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant is expected to lead the Indian side if Gill is ruled out. Kotak expressed confidence in the team’s depth, saying, “Any team would miss a player and a captain like Shubman. But if he misses out because of an injury, then we have plenty of good players who should step up and perform for the team.”
If Gill does not play, Sai Sudharsan could return to the top order, with Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Kumar Reddy also considered as options. Following the Test series, India and South Africa will face off in three ODIs and five T20Is between November 30 and December 19.
