Will Shubman Gill Play the 2nd Test? Kotak Shares Positive Recovery Signs
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has brought some hope back into the Shubman Gill situation. A day before the second Test in Guwahati, he said that Gill is recovering well from his neck injury and hasn’t been ruled out yet.
This is a small but positive shift, because all week it felt almost certain that Gill would miss this Test, and maybe even the ODI series. The neck injury he suffered in Kolkata looked serious from the beginning. He retired hurt after just three balls, holding the back of his neck, and later had to be taken to the hospital when the pain got worse. For the last two days, most people assumed India wouldn’t risk him at all, especially since he’s one of the team’s most important players and captain in two formats.
Gill’s availability still a last-minute call
The medical staff had advised India to be careful, and early signs suggested that the team was already preparing to play without him. Even inside the camp, the feeling was that he might need more than a couple of days to fully recover. With the kind of workload Gill has had this year, pushing him into a Test match didn’t seem wise.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak summed up India’s position with a mix of hope. But they won’t risk it.
“Gill is recovering really well. Now, the decision will be taken tomorrow evening. Even if he’s fully recovered, we have to ensure he doesn’t spasm in the game again. The doctor and physio’s concern is this. If they’re sure it won’t happen, then he’ll play. Else he will rest for another game,” Kotak said.
India unsure about Gill; Jurel may bat at No. 4 if he misses out
But now, India haven’t ruled anything out. Gill has recovered better than expected, is moving more comfortably, and the team will wait for one final medical test before deciding. Ideally, India wouldn’t want to rush him back. But since they are already 0–1 down at home, they are open to playing him, if the doctors are fully confident the injury won’t trouble him again. The worry isn’t the pain right now but the risk of a repeat. In Kolkata, Gill felt extreme discomfort as he couldn’t return at all, and India paid for that in the fourth innings.
If Gill doesn’t play again, Dhruv Jurel might be moved up to bat at No. 4. “We all wish he (Gill) plays but if he can’t, someone coming in place of him might score a century,” Kotak said, keeping things light despite the situation. “If Shubman can’t play, Dhruv Jurel is an option at No. 4. But we have to look at conditions. We have to see if Shubman plays or not,” he added.
