Indian captain Shubman Gill is doubtful to play in the second and final Test against South Africa starting on Saturday, November 22 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The Indian team management recalled all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was released before the opening of the series, for the next match.
Shubman Gill suffered neck cramps while batting on the second day of the first Test at Eden Gardens. The physio came to the field and Gill had to leave the field after just three balls. He was later taken to a private hospital, where he was kept under observation with a cervical collar as a precautionary measure.
The veteran batsman was dropped before the resumption of play on the third day and did not take any further part in the match. His absence proved costly, as India were left short of a specialist batsman while chasing the target of 124 in the fourth innings. Without their captain, the hosts were all out for 93 runs and lost the first Test by 30 runs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy recalled to Indian Test team amid Shubman Gill’s injury
According to Times of India, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recalled to the Indian Test team. He is set to join the team for an optional training session at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday, November 18, before the team leaves for Guwahati on Wednesday.
The team management had released Reddy so that he could continue playing in the three-match ODI series. However, Shubman Gill’s neck injury in the first Test forced the management to recall him sooner than expected.
If the captain is unable to recover in time, Reddy could be a contender for a place in the playing eleven for the Guwahati Test.
Nitish Kumar Reddy was last seen in action in India A’s match against South Africa A.
Nitish Kumar Reddy recently returned to action in India A’s match against South Africa A. He scored 37 and took 1 for 18 as India A won by four wickets in Rajkot on Thursday, 13 November.
Notably, this was his first match after recovering from the left quadriceps injury he sustained during the ODI series in Australia, which kept him out of the T20Is. He did not get a chance to bat or bowl in the second game, as the hosts won the series 2–0.
Reddy made his debut in Test cricket during the Australia tour last year. He has scored 386 runs in nine Test matches at an average of 29.69, which also includes one century. The right-arm medium pacer has also taken eight wickets. He played both home Tests against the West Indies, where the hosts made a clean sweep.
Shubman Gill advised not to travel by air due to neck injury
The Indian Test team is scheduled to go to Guwahati on Wednesday for the second Test, but Shubman Gill may not join them. According to a report by news agency PTI, the medical team has advised him not to take the flight due to a neck injury.
“He (Gill) has severe neck pain and we are not allowed to give further details about the injury. He will have to continue wearing a neck collar,” a source was quoted as saying. PTI,
“He has been advised rest for three to four days and not to fly. As such, 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,” sources said.
Also Read: KKR star orders Gautam Gambhir to learn from Virat Kohli to save India’s Test team
