Shubman Gill Determined to Play Guwahati Test Despite Neck Injury: Report

Despite his neck injury still a concern, India captain Shubman Gill is doing everything possible to get himself ready for the Second test against South Africa at the start of which is on Saturday in Guwahati. Gill, who traveled along with the team on Wednesday, it is being reported by PTI that he will be having fitness tests done during practice on Thursday and Friday at Barsapara Stadium.

The neck injury was gotten by Gill while he was performing a sweep shot during the first Test in Kolkata. He was in great discomfort and could not walk so they brought a stretcher and later he was taken to the hospital. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) member said that Gill was ruled out for the rest of the match but then later on Wednesday they announced that he was responding well to the treatment and was already allowed to travel. The decision regarding his availability will be made on the day closest to the match.

The absence of Gill was deeply felt by the Indian team in Kolkata where they couldn't turn around a first-innings advantage and eventually succumbed to only 93 runs in the fourth innings—the least score in Test history for a home fourth-innings. The loss has further compounded the pressure on India who have now lost four out of their last six home Tests under the coach Gautam Gambhir.

The eagerness of Gill to return is quite understandable. The Indian team is in dire need of a victory in the coming series, especially since they have just one year back witnessed the same scenario when New Zealand defeated them 3-0 in a series played in India. But on the other hand, the team management may take a cautious approach due to the heavy workload of the captain's schedule. In the last few months, Gill has been in the Asia Cup as T20I vice-captain, played the Test series with West Indies, and gone to Australia for the eight white-ball matches, meanwhile he was also the captain of India during three ODIs.

Besides, the Indian team would not only gain the "missing piece" when Gill is back but also get the balance restored in their batting order, which at the first Test was all about left-handers, six in total making history in it. This combination was of great help to Simon Harmer, who was the off-spinner of the South African bowling unit. Harmer bagged 8 wickets and was given the Player of the Match title.

The Indian management has to consider the player's treatment period, November 30 to December 19, along with India's next white-ball series—three ODIs and five T20Is—before concluding on Gill's participation.