The Indian cricket team captain, Shubman Gill, is uncertain for the second and last Test match versus South Africa that is going to be held at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, beginning Saturday, November 22. The Indian team management has called back the all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was released before the start of the series, for the next match.
While batting on Day 2 of the first Test played at Eden Gardens, Shubman Gill had a neck spasm. The physio attended to him on the field, and Gill had to go out after only three deliveries. Subsequently, he was taken to a private hospital, where he was kept under observation with a cervical collar as a precautionary measure.
The key batsman was not allowed to play before the start of Day 3 and he also did not take any further part in the match. His presence was a great loss to the team as India had to face the attack with one batter short during their chase of 124 runs in the fourth innings. The hosts without their captain succumbed to 93 all out and hence, lost the first Test by a margin of 30 runs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy to join test squad amid Shubman Gill’s injury
As per the Times of India, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recalled back into the Indian Test squad. He is expected to be with the team for an optional practice session at Eden Gardens on Tuesday, November 18, before they leave for Guwahati on Wednesday.
The management of the team had let Reddy go so that he could be a part of a three-match one-day series. However, the neck injury sustained by Shubman Gill in the first Test caused the management to summon him back earlier than planned.
If the captain does not recover in time, Reddy may be in line for a spot in the playing XI for the Test at Guwahati.
Nitish Kumar Reddy last played against South Africa A
Nitish Kumar Reddy was in full swing again during the match India A played against South Africa A, which was the last seen in his action. He made a contribution of 37 runs to the team and took 1 wicket for 18 runs, contributing to India A’s exciting four-wicket triumph in Rajkot on November 13, Thursday.
What is more, this was his first game after he healed from a left quadriceps injury which he suffered during the ODI series in Australia, and which also kept him out of the T20Is. He didn’t have a chance to either bat or bowl in the second game, which was won by the series winners with a score of 2–0.
Reddy was introduced to Test cricket on the Australia tour last year. He has been part of nine Test matches so far where he has amassed 386 runs at a batting average of 29.69 including a century. The right-arm medium pacer has also claimed eight wickets. He was involved in the West Indies series of which the hosts completed a clean sweep in both home Tests.
Shubman Gill’s medical team strongly recomends not to travel to Guwahati because of injury
The Indian Test team’s journey to Guwahati for the second Test match is scheduled for Wednesday, but Shubman Gill’s presence with them is uncertain. A report from the PTI news agency states that the medical team has recommended that he should not fly because of his neck injury.
“(Gill) is suffering from acute neck pain and we cannot reveal more details about the injury. He has to continue wearing the neck collar,” a source was cited by PTI as saying.
“Sources said, “He has been advised rest for three to four days and not to take a flight. In this situation, he is not advised to go to Guwahati. However, we will continue to check his progress every day, and the situation will be more clear by Tuesday.”
