Follow UsShubman Gill has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati on November 21 (Friday), which means Rishabh Pant will lead the Men in Blue. Pant will become the 38th Test captain, and the first wicketkeeper batter to lead India since MS Dhoni.
While Gill travelled with the team, in a bid to accelerate his recovery, the BCCI confirmed that the Indian skipper will now head to Mumbai for further assessment. Gill could potentially also miss the upcoming T20I series against the same opponents.
“Team India captain Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa, has been ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati,” BCCI confirmed in a press release.
“Gill suffered a neck injury on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test and was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day's play. He was kept under observation and discharged the next day. He travelled to Guwahati on 19th November, 2025.
Unfortunately, he was not fully fit to feature in the 2nd Test and will head to Mumbai for further assessment of his injury. Rishabh Pant will lead the team in the 2nd Test in Gill's absence,” it added further.
However, it remains to be seen who will replace Gill in India’s playing XI. Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as the strong candidate, with Pant himself replacing Gill at that No.4 position.