India captain Shubman Gill was admitted to the Woodlands Hospital in Kolkata after his neck pain became unbearable, hours after he retired hurt on day 2 of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. According to a Rev Sportz report, he is doubtful for the remaining part of the series, with the second Test starting on November 22 in Guwahati.

Gill left the field after experiencing some discomfort in his neck in the first session. The right-handed batter hit a boundary on Simon Harmer’s delivery but soon started pressing his neck and was attended to by the physio. Gill couldn’t move his head freely and walked off, but his injury didn’t appear serious. However, his conditions became worse, and he had to be stretchered out of the venue in the evening. The medical staff of the team took him to a private hospital for evaluation.

The report added that Gill underwent tests and was given medicine to relieve the neck spasm. He was kept under observation overnight, and his recovery may take several days, making him a doubtful starter for the Guwahati Test.

Rishabh Pant is leading Team India

During the second innings of the Proteas on Saturday, Rishabh Pant led the team, signalling that Gill will not return to action anytime soon. Team management is not expecting him to bat in India’s second innings unless his conditions improve. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said that Gill’s injury is not due to the workload.

“It could be due to bad sleep during the night. Shubman Gill is fit and looks after himself well. He woke up with a stiff neck, and that carried into the second day,” Morkel said.

Gill has been playing non-stop cricket for months. He led India in a five-match series against England before playing the Asia Cup 2025 and the Test series against the West Indies. Gill then went to Australia for white-ball matches and returned to Kolkata 48 hours before the series opener against South Africa. The Board of Control for Cricket in India had issued a statement on Shubman’s injury, revealing that the player was being monitored for a neck spasm.

With India closing on a win, the Test is likely to finish early on Day 3.