India suffered a jolt during the morning session of the second day of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata on Saturday (November 15). Captain Shubman Gill suffered a freak injury while batting and his participation for the remainder of the game seems doubtful at the moment.
The incident happened in the 35th over of the innings when Gill’s powerful sweep shot against Keshav Maharaj found the skipper a boundary but also resulted in a neck sprain for him. The impact was instant and Gill couldn’t move his neck at all, forcing the team physio to come onto the field to have a look.
After a few minutes, Gill had to retire hurt with the stiffness on his neck appearing to be ominous at first viewing. While the ongoing Test series is critical to the World Test Championship, Gill is India’s T20I vice-captain and the World Cup is barely three months away from now. In such a situation, extreme caution is what you would expect from the India camp.
There is no official word from the India camp yet but Gill seemed in unbearable pain as he made his way back to the dressing room. It seems unlikely that he would bat in India’s first innings unless it is necessary. He might probably take a good rest and a call on his participation in the ongoing Test would be taken soon.
An official update from the India medical staff should be out soon.
