IND vs SA: Shubman Gill ruled out of Kolkata Test with neck injury, confirms BCCI

Kolkata: India captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the remainder of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens after sustaining a neck spasm on Day 2, the BCCI announced ahead of Day 3.

Gill, retired hurt on four after experiencing sudden pain while playing a sweep off Simon Harmer in the 35th over. Though the shot raced to the boundary, the opener immediately clutched the left side of his neck and appeared unable to straighten up. Team physio Kamlesh Jain assessed him on the field before Gill walked off in visible discomfort.

The BCCI confirmed that Gill was taken to a hospital for medical examination on Friday evening and remains under observation.

“Captain Shubman Gill suffered 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 day’s play and is currently under observation. He will take no further part in the Test. The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor him,” the board said in its statement.

Gill did not return to bat or field for the remainder of Day 2, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant assuming leadership duties on the field. Broadcast visuals later indicated that Gill had been troubled by neck stiffness even before the start of play, as he was seen grimacing during warm-up drills.

At stumps, the Indian skipper was stretchered out of the stadium wearing a neck brace and admitted to the designated partner hospital for further treatment. He was accompanied by the team doctor and a security officer, while his father, Lakhwinder Gill–present at the venue–also rushed to the hospital.

This is not Gill’s first brush with a neck-related issue. The opener had missed the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October 2024 due to similar stiffness and also sat out the second T20I against Sri Lanka in July 2024 for the same reason.

(with inputs from agencies)