India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill, will miss the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, which starts on Saturday, November 22. Rishabh Pant will lead the team in his place, and young batsman Sai Sudharsan is likely to take Gill’s spot in the playing XI, according to The Indian Express.
Shubman Gill, 26, hurt his neck while batting in the first innings of the Kolkata Test. He couldn’t field in South Africa’s second innings and didn’t bat when India needed 124 runs. After the injury, he went to a hospital in Kolkata for a check-up and was discharged the next day.
Gill Out of Second Test, Pant to Lead
The BCCI said he will travel with the team to Guwahati, where the medical staff will keep checking his condition.
“Team India captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test against South Africa and was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day’s play. He was kept under observation and discharged the next day. Shubman has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on 19th November, 2025,” the release said.
India is under pressure to win the second Test after losing the first one against South Africa by 30 runs. Before the Guwahati match, the Indian team had an optional practice session at Eden Gardens. Players like Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Devdutt Padikkal took part, getting ready to step in if needed.
In a first for Test cricket, the Guwahati Test will feature a tea break before lunch across all five days of play. Matches will commence at 9 a.m. each day, marking a new approach in the traditional format. With the series still undecided, India will need to adjust fast without their regular captain and try to win an important game at home. Both the team and the fans will be keen to see if the new leadership and changes in the lineup can help them turn things around in Guwahati.
