IND vs SA: Shubman Gill leaves Guwahati for Mumbai to seek specialist review on neck injury

Shubman Gill leaves Guwahati for Mumbai to seek specialist review on neck injury (BCCI Photo)

Shubman Gill was released from the team on Friday as he took a morning flight to Mumbai for more evaluation and treatment for his neck injury that he sustained while batting in the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. The development was confirmed by BCCI. Rishabh Pant will be leading the side in the second Test at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati beginning from Saturday.

As reported by the Times of India, Gill will rest for the next two-three days before seeking specialist opinion from Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala. It added that no trip to BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru is planned for the 26-year-old as of now.

The India skipper didn't train with the squad on Thursday.

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Gill picked up the injury after facing just three deliveries in the first innings in Kolkata, following which he retired hurt and was admitted to the hospital. The injury prevented him from participating further in the match as India played with one batter short.

Interestingly, due to a similar neck problem, Gill had missed a Test against New Zealand in October last year.

As the management weigh their alternatives for Gill's replacement, India now face a selection conundrum. The squad is mostly occupied with left-handed batters. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, two of the main contenders to join the team, both bat left-handed, and six were already in the starting lineup in Kolkata, with five being in the top eight. Off-spinner Simon Harmer, who was named Player of the Match in Kolkata, benefited from the left-heavy order.

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Nitish Reddy is anticipated to replace Axar Patel in the XI, and Sai Sudharsan is the front-runner to replace Gill, whose long-term fitness would not be compromised, as emphasised by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Friday.

India are confident going into the Test because of their strong bench, Kotak continued. The hosts are behind 0-1 in the two-match series after enduring a 30-run loss in Kolkata last week.