The India National Cricket Team is currently going through a leadership crisis just before the important white-ball series against South Africa. The Indian captain, Shubman Gill, was unable to participate in the opening Test match against South Africa due to suffering from a neck problem. His absence will also extend to the second Test match.
Unconfirmed sources, however, say that Shubman Gill will not accompany the team to Guwahati for the last and second Test against South Africa scheduled to commence on November 22. Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been included in the squad amid apprehensions about Gill’s fitness.
Shubman Gill is likely not to be there for the second Test match against South Africa
Nonetheless, the second test in the city of Guwahati, has not yet begun, but the attention has already shifted to the forthcoming three-match ODI series with South Africa, and the team will be announced shortly. The first match is organized for November 30 in Ranchi.
The last two matches will take place on December 3 in Raipur and December 6 in Visakhapatnam, respectively.
After the ODI series, there will be a five-match T20I series between India and South Africa in which India will play from December 9 to December 19 in five different locations, Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. However, the Indian captaincy for the ODI series is still unclear.
KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant to lead India in the White ball series against South Africa
Captain Shubman Gill’s absence from the ODI series is almost certain, while his designated deputy Shreyas Iyer is also injured and thus out of contention as well. The situation, therefore, leaves KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, the Test vice-captain, as the leading candidates to take up the captaincy for the time being.
As per the Times of India, K. L. Rahul or Rishabh Pant is going to wear the captain’s hat for the Blue Brigade, in the next three-match ODI series against the South African team. Surprisingly, Rahul is likely to be honored by the selectors because of his experience and being the oldest in the team.
The selectors are about to make a decision soon, with Shubman Gill likely to be the one resting who is the star of the T20I series and is expected to face burnout as the lad from Punjab has been playing non-stop throughout the format.
One of the all-rounders Hardik Pandya who was injured and missed the Australia tour, and fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will return in the ODI series
IND vs SA ODIs vital for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
The ODI series with South Africa is very important for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. They have showcased their talent and form during the Australia tour but now they have to keep up with it.
If they want to be a part of the ICC World Cup 2027, they must perform well not only against South Africa but also in the subsequent matches.
Shubman Gill unfortunately had to go out of the match after just three balls in the first innings during the first Test which the home team lost by 30 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He experienced neck pain while attempting a sweep shot and thus could not proceed.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that Gill had a neck spasm and would be out for the remaining part of the first test. Doctors were also keeping a close watch on him as he was sent to the hospital.
