Indian captain Shubman Gill has created a new storm just days before the Guwahati Test against South Africa, creating a scene that fans and BCCI were not expecting. Despite being advised strict rest by the medical team, Shubman Gill broke BCCI protocols by deciding to travel.
While the rest of the Indian team left for Guwahati airport together, Gill left separately in another car with only the team physio. His neck injury has not completely healed and doctors have clearly warned him against air travel.
Shubman Gill defies BCCI orders, travels separately for Guwahati Test
Despite this, Gill is determined to stand by his team in the crucial second and final Test against South Africa starting on November 22. His move reminded many of Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s tough and no-nonsense approach.
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A report in RevSportz reads: “Shubman is on his way to the airport in a separate car with a physio. India are on their way to Guwahati. He’s clearly not there yet, but is disregarding medical advice to stay with his team as captain.”
BCCI releases official update on Shubman Gill
Meanwhile, the BCCI has issued a medical update on Shubman Gill, saying that the captain was kept under observation overnight after suffering a neck injury on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and was discharged the next morning.
The medical team has confirmed that Gill will accompany the team to Guwahati on November 19 and will continue to be closely monitored. However, the final decision on the Indian captain’s participation in the second and final Test will be taken after further evaluation.
“Team India captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury on the second day of the Kolkata Test against South Africa and was taken to the hospital for tests after the end of the day’s play. He was kept under observation and discharged the next day,” the BCCI said in an official statement.
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The statement further said, “Shubman is responding well to the medical treatment provided and he will accompany the team to Guwahati on November 19, 2025. The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor him and a decision on his participation in the second Test will be taken accordingly.”
With Shubman Gill uncertain, India set to make tactical changes in Guwahati Test
With the captain still recovering from his neck injury, the Indian cricket team management has started preparations for the worst in Guwahati. If Gill fails to recover in time, vice-captain Rishabh Pant is ready to take over as the standby captain in an important match.
In another major development, young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recalled to the team with immediate effect. Reddy was earlier released to play the unofficial ODI series against South Africa A, where India A currently holds a 2-0 lead.
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Reddy’s return gives India a much-needed right-handed option lower down the order, especially after the Kolkata Test revealed how depleted the Indian team looked with six left-handed batsmen. However, India still have Sai Sudarshan and Devdutt Padikkal as backup batsmen, but both are left-handed batsmen.
The inclusion of either of these would leave India with seven left-handed batsmen in the playing eleven, which was a risky setup after Simon Harmer troubled India’s left-handers by dismissing six batsmen at the Eden Gardens. With Reddy returning and Dhruv Jurel likely to continue at No. 4, India may make tactical changes to strike a balance ahead of the crucial Guwahati Test, as the Proteas already lead the series 1-0.