Why is Shubman Gill not playing in IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test?

Team India will miss the services of Shubman Gill for the decisive second Test against South Africa at the Baraspara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, beginning on Saturday, November 22. The right-handed batter failed to recover from the neck injury that has suffered miday through the opening Test, propelling Rishabh Pant to take on the captaincy duties.

Gill left the ground during the series-opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata after facing only three deliveries, as he had a neck spasm. The 26-year-old was stretchered off to a private hospital and didn't return to bat in the second innings as the hosts crumbled in pursuit of 124 and lost by 30 runs. As a result, the Asian Giants conceded a 1-0 lead and must win in Guwahati to avoid a series loss.

Although Gill was discharged from the hospital at the end of the opening Test, the BCCI revealed that the youngster will head to Mumbai for further assessment. Nevertheless, he did travel to Guwahati with the team.

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"He showed resilience even when his body was not permitting" - Rishabh Pant on Shubman Gill

Rishabh Pant kept brilliantly in the first Test. (Credits: Getty)

With Rishabh Pant set to lead the side in Gill's absence, the keeper-batter said they have decided who will take the youngster's place in the playing eleven. He said during the presser, as quoted by IANS:

"Shubman was keen to play the match. He showed resilience even when his body was not permitting. We have taken a decision on who will play in the playing eleven in place of Shubman. The person who will play in the match knows he is playing."

Pant also thanked the BCCI for giving him the captaincy responsibility and vowed to blend conventional thinking with out-of-box style, adding:

"I don't want to overthink. We had a tough first Test and we need to do whatever is required to win the Test. A one-off match is not the best scenario for a captain, but I am thankful to the BCCI for giving me this honour. Sometimes if you think too much about big occasions, it doesn't help. I want to be conventional and also blend it with out-of-box thinking. I want to have nice balance and blend both when captaining."

The 28-year-old will become India's 38th Test skipper and the second keeper-batter captain after MS Dhoni.

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Edited by Parag Jain