India Test captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the Eden Gardens Test ahead of Day Three’s play in Kolkata on Sunday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed.
Having faced three deliveries, Gill walked off the field and was later taken to a local hospital after the end of the day’s play. Following further scans, it was decided that he would spend the night at the hospital as a precautionary measure.
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“Captain Shubman Gill had a neck injury on Day 2 of the ongoing Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day’s play,” the BCCI said in its statement.
“He is currently under observation in the hospital. He will take no further part in the Test match. He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team.”
It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will be fit in time for the second Test in Guwahati, starting on November 22.
India bowling Morne Morkel later said in the press conference on Saturday that it might have been just due to a bad night’s sleep and not Gill’s workload. “Yeah, 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,” Morkel said, when asked if Gill’s packed multi-format calendar was a factor.
“He is a very fit guy; he looks after himself very well. So, it’s just unfortunate this morning that he woke up with a stiff neck and that carried in into the day. Bad timing.”
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This is not the first time Gill has suffered a neck spasm. Last year, during the home series against New Zealand, he complained of neck stiffness and missed the first Test at Bengaluru.
Heading into the third day’s play, South Africa stand 63 runs ahead at 93 for seven with captain Temba Bavuma still at the crease. Any target above 100 would also prove challenging for the hosts on a pitch that has produced 26 wickets in two days.
