India’s Test captain Shubman Gill is reportedly admitted to the Woodlands Hospital in Kolkata after sustaining a neck injury during day two of the first Test in the two-match series against South Africa
at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, November 15. The 26-year-old had just begun his innings for India in the first session on day two in response to South Africa’s first innings total of 159 runs and just three balls later, he got injured and retired hurt.
The neck injury was sustained by Shubman Gill while executing a picture-perfect sweep shot over square leg on the bowling of off-spinner Simon Harmer which went to the boundary rope. Seconds afterwards, the right-handed batter appeared to be in a lot of discomfort while holding the left side of his neck and then, he signalled to the Indian physio to come on to the field.
Shubman Gill to stay in hospital overnight for observation of his neck injury: Report
Following a brief assessment of his condition on the field, the Indian team management decided to take him off the field to ensure that he didn’t aggravate his injury. In the absence of Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant took the responsibility of leading the Indian cricket team in the field after they were bowled out for 189 runs in their first innings.
India managed to reduce South Africa to 93/7, finding themselves just 63 runs behind in the second innings and later on, in a report from RevSportz, it was revealed that Shubman Gill, who had his neck secured in a cervical collar, will be kept in hospital overnight for observation. They also mentioned that the Indian captain might end up missing the second Test in Guwahati next week let alone taking any more part in the ongoing first Test in Kolkata.
Morne Morkel, the Indian bowling coach, said the following about Shubman Gill’s neck injury in the press conference after stumps on day two, “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 load.”
