The Indian national cricket team has finally got the good news they were eagerly waiting for. Captain Shubman Gill is almost fully fit and all set to take charge in the second and final Test against South Africa starting on November 22 in Guwahati.
After days of uncertainty following the neck spasm he suffered during the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Shubman Gill’s strong recovery has brought a wave of relief to the Indian camp. He is responding very well to the treatment and is moving around comfortably without any problem.
Shubman Gill is almost confirmed for Guwahati Test
With the next Test being extremely important after India’s shocking defeat in Kolkata, Gill’s return could not have come at a better time. Not just for the Guwahati Test, the Indian captain is also 100% ready to lead the team in the upcoming three-match ODI against South Africa.
Today’s latest news:
The Captain is fully ready and fit (99.9%) to lead in the second Test.
ODI series 100% ready.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/tCJSGaBidp
-Vaibhav Bhola (@Vibhubhola) 18 November 2025
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A News 24 journalist posted on Twitter: “Captain fully ready and fit (99.9%) to lead in 2nd Test. 100% ready for ODI series.”
Shubman Gill asked to avoid flights
Earlier, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) doctors had reportedly asked Shubman Gill to take rest for at least three days. They have also warned him not to take any flights for the time being as his neck pain is quite severe. This puts their Guwahati trip in doubt, as the Indian team is scheduled to leave on Wednesday (November 19).
“He (Shubhman Gill) has severe neck pain, and we are not allowed to go into more detail about the injury. He has to wear a neck collar. He has been advised rest for three or four days and not to take flights. In this condition, he has not been advised to travel to Guwahati. But we are monitoring his progress on a daily basis, and the picture will be clear by Tuesday,” PTI quoted a source as saying.
Another report has made the situation even more worrying. According to information shared with Times of India, Gill’s injury may not be a severe spasm at all. People close to the team believe that the Indian captain may have been suffering from this problem for some time now and doctors are still trying to understand how serious it really is.
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Nitish Kumar Reddy returns for Guwahati test
Earlier it was said that it was a pillow related problem, but Eden Gardens tells a different story. While playing a sweep shot, Gill suddenly fell and suffered severe pain in his neck. He had to be taken out of the field, which shocked everyone.
On the other hand, the Indian team management has included Nitish Kumar Reddy back in the Test squad ahead of the second match against South Africa. The selectors wanted a strong lower-order batsman who could also add balance to the team and Reddy fits the bill perfectly.
Reddy’s presence could help India maintain a solid left-right combination in the middle and lower order, and his ability to handle pressure and play aggressive shots lower down the order makes him a serious contender for a place in the playing eleven in the Guwahati Test.
