India captain Shubman Gill had been asked to not travel to Guwahati for the second Test against South Africa. This indicates that the star cricketer should be heading home or to the BCCI Centre of Excellence
for further rehabilitation ahead of the One-Day Internationals. However, Gill has still opted to be with the Indian unit to keep the team environment positive.
In case you missed it, Gill had to leave the crease midway into his innings on the opening day of the first Test at the Eden Gardens, after facing a serious neck stiffness on the third and the last ball of his stay in the middle. He was treated in Kolkata's Woodlands Hospital for treatment and responded well. The BCCI will take a call on his participation in the second Test on November 21.
"Shubman Gill was kept under observation and discharged the next day. Shubman has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on 19th November 2025. He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team and a decision on his participation in the 2nd Test will be taken accordingly," the official board statement on Wednesday, November 19 read.
Gill being under observation of the medical team states that the Fazilka-born still hasn't recuperated fully from his injury, and that the team management is not taking any hasty calls over his availability for the upcoming encounter, which will get underway on November 22. India are already down 0-1 in the two-match series, and a win in Guwahati is their only chance to avoid yet another Test whitewash at home.
Another question that has come to the fore is the replacement for Gill at No. 4 in the upcoming contest if he doesn't play. India already have the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan in the squad. However, in-form players performing in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 like Karun Nair may also get called in, with chances also looking good for Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar.
