Will Shubman Gill play in the second Test against South Africa? BCCI gives update on skipper's neck injury

Ahead of the second Test match against South Africa in Assam, India captain Shubman Gill will travel with the squad to Guwahati, even as uncertainty remains over his availability due to a neck injury, the BCCI said on Wednesday.

Gill, 26, sustained the injury on the second day of the opening Test in Kolkata, which India lost by 30 runs. He retired hurt in the first innings, did not return to bat, and was later taken to hospital for further assessment.

The second Test begins on November 22.


“Shubman has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on 19th November, 2025,” BCCI said in an update. He added that the medical team will continue to monitor Gill before taking a final call on whether he can play.

With Gill unlikely to be fit in time, all-rounder Nitish Reddy has been withdrawn from the India A series against South Africa A in Rajkot and brought in as cover. The Andhra player reached Kolkata on Monday but did not participate in Tuesday’s net session.

Reddy, who has a Test hundred to his name and adds balance as a right-handed batter, could be in contention for a place in the starting XI in Guwahati if Gill is ruled out.

In the first Test, Gill retired hurt with a neck injury in the first innings after playing only three balls and did not return for the rest of the match, which India lost by 30 runs.