Shubman Gill hospitalised after neck injury, ruled out of first Test

Shubman Gill hospitalised after neck injury (BCCI Photo)

India captain Shubman Gill was on Sunday ruled out of the remainder of the opening Test against South Africa in Kolkata due to a neck injury. The BCCI gave the update before start of Day 3, confirming that he will not be available to bat in the second innings on a pitch with uneven bounce. Gill had suffered a neck injury while batting on the second day of the ongoing Test and was retired hurt on 4.

“Captain Shubman Gill had a neck injury on Day 2 of the ongoing Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day's play,” the team management said in a statement.

“He is currently under observation in the hospital. He will take no further part in the Test match. He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team,” it added.

Gill was stretchered into an ambulance to be admitted to a hospital in the city on Saturday evening with his neck immobilised, hours after retiring hurt in India’s first innings.

The Indian captain felt pain in his neck immediately after executing a sweep for four off South Africa spinner Simon Harmer, and had left the field after receiving some initial treatment from the team’s medical staff.

Vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who led India during Gill's absence on Saturday, would continue to lead the team for the remaining match.

India’s assistant coach Morne Morkel blamed it on bad night's "sleep and not his workload”.

"Yeah, I think we first need to determine how he got the neck stiffness, maybe just a bad night's sleep. I don't think it's, or we can put it down to the (work) load,” Morkel told the media after Day 2.

Gill is one of the few India players who plays all three formats, having made his return to the shortest format with the Asia Cup in September. He was also appointed ODI captain ahead of the Australia white-ball tour.