The India National Cricket Team was hit with alarming news on Shubman Gill ahead of the second and final Test against the South Africa National Cricket Team, starting on November 22 in Guwahati.
Shubman Gill is facing a serious neck injury that could keep him out of the Guwahati Test. The Indian captain hurt his neck while playing a sweep shot on the second day of the first Test in Kolkata. He had to be carried off the field and taken to a hospital immediately.
Shubman Gill’s neck injury puts the Guwahati Test in doubt
At the hospital, Gill was kept in the ICU as a precaution and examined by a six-member specialist panel, including neurosurgeons, neurologists, and critical-care experts. After careful monitoring, Gill has now been discharged, but he remains in a cervical collar.
However, the Indian batting star remains under strict medical supervision and will have to move cautiously to avoid any strain on his neck, putting his participation in the Guwahati Test in jeopardy.
Only a miracle can save Shubman Gill’s hopes to play the Guwahati Test
Meanwhile, a Revsportz report revealed that the medical experts have strongly advised Shubman Gill not to travel, warning that flying could worsen his neck injury and create long-term complications. Gill has been advised to rest completely for 3 to 4 days.
Despite this, the Indian captain is expected to join the Indian cricket team in Guwahati, not as a player, but to boost team morale and provide leadership from the sidelines.
With India trailing 0-1 in the ongoing two-match Test series against South Africa, Gill is determined to push himself, but his chances of taking the field are extremely slim in the final Test. Only a medical miracle could allow him to play, and doctors are insisting on complete rest for the next few days.
The Indian team will have to wait until November 21, when a final assessment will decide whether the right-handed batter can actually participate in the second Test against the Proteas side.
Abhinav Mukund calls for an immediate leadership overhaul after Shubman Gill’s injury
Meanwhile, Abhinav Mukund has raised concerns over Shubman Gill’s captaincy, saying the young batter is under too much pressure leading India across all formats.
While other players have been rotated, Gill has played consistently, including returning for the Kolkata Test against South Africa right after the Australia tour, and the workload is beginning to take a toll.
Mukund urged the BCCI and the Indian selectors to consider split captaincy, with different leaders for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, allowing Gill to focus on his batting while still providing leadership. Notably, Gill is already leading India in Tests and ODIs and is likely to get T20I captaincy next year.
Abhinav Mukund said on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan: “I think Shubman has it in him to become an all-format captain, but I don’t think India should have an all-format captain anymore.
Split captaincy is a smart move. Shubman Gill has been given the responsibility to take on the mantle in Tests, and he will be under big pressure. This is a crucial series, and the England series was a big confidence booster for India.”