"He was missed dearly" - Dinesh Karthik's massive claim on Team India star after Day 2 of 1st IND vs SA 2025 Test

Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believes Team India missed skipper Shubman Gill with the bat on Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. The right-hander played only three deliveries before retiring hurt with a neck spasm.

Gill did not return to bat as the hosts crumbled in their first innings to be bowled out for 189. The Indian captain has been in breathtaking form in Tests this year, averaging over 70 with five centuries in nine matches.

Reacting to Shubman Gill retiring hurt with injury after the second day's play, Karthik said on Cricbuzz (6:27):

"He was missed dearly today. He came in, got a boundary and got a neck spasm. In the warm-ups, there were pictures doing the rounds where he was actually speaking to the physio about how his neck was strained. He wasn't feeling comfortable so I am assuming the conversation would have been to go have a bat and see what it feels like. If something gets worse at that point of time, then we'll take a decision and that's exactly what happened."

Karthik also reflected on India's ungainly collapse after a solid start, saying:

"India were 75/1 with Washington and KL Rahul comfortable at the crease and then the collapse happened. It's a word Indian fans don't want to hear about and there has been plenty in the last five years. After Washington and KL, the rest kept falling. Rishabh Pant batted beautifully but not too many partnerships."

The hosts lost their final eight wickets for only 114 runs but still captured a first-innings lead of 30.

"He was tactically very astute" - Dinesh Karthik on Rishabh Pant

Dinesh Karthik praised Rishabh Pant for leading the side in Shubman Gill's absence in the second innings on Day 2 of the opening Test. With Gill off the field injured, Pant took over captaincy duties from behind the wicket.

The Indian bowlers responded brilliantly, reducing the Proteas to 93/7 in their second essay.

"Rishabh Pant led really well. He was tactically very astute. Despite Kuldeep picking up Rickleton's wicket in the last over before tea, that was the last over of the spell. He replaced him with Jadeja immediately after the over. And first over, he got Aiden Markram. Small little things, understanding the pulse of the game, though it could be coincidental, but the fact is Rishabh Pant made some nice moves through and through," said Karthik (via the aforementioned source).

The former gloveman concluded:

"He even helped Kuldeep get his second wicket, the way he set up the dismissal by keeping a fielder there and telling him the line to bowl."

With a lead of only 63 and seven wickets down, South Africa are staring down the barrel of a 0-1 series deficit.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran