Shubman Gill was taken to a private hospital on Saturday evening after complaining of a neck spasm, casting real doubt on whether he can take any further part in the Kolkata Test against South Africa.
The opener felt pain almost immediately, three balls into his knock, after sweeping Simon Harmer to the rope. He signalled for the physio, held the back of his neck and walked off retired hurt. At stumps he was stretchered out of Eden Gardens, neck brace on, flanked by the team doctor and a security officer.
“Shubman Gill has a neck spasm and is being monitored by the BCCI medical team,” the board confirmed during the afternoon session.
Before play Gill had been seen doing gentle neck drills with coaching and medical staff—hardly surprising given he missed a Test last October with similar stiffness. Since the 2025 IPL he has barely had a break, shifting straight from franchise cricket to India duty and, most recently, flying in from the T20Is in Australia only two days before this match. The management has been mindful of his workload, yet the schedule keeps squeezing.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel, standing in for the unwell head coach at the press briefing, labelled the timing “unfortunate” but was quick to downplay long-term fears. “Gill is a very fit guy, he looks after himself very well,” Morkel said. “So, it’s just unfortunate this morning that he woke up with a stiff neck and that carried him into the day, which was crucial for us, Morkel said. “Another sort of partnership with him batting around was going to be needed for us at the time and… just bad timing.”
If Gill does return he can bat anywhere, as the injury is not external, though India may prefer to shield him from the new ball. In his absence Rishabh Pant led the side and Ravindra Jadeja’s sharp 4 for 29 reduced South Africa to 93-7, a lead of only 63, leaving India marginally on top but missing their preferred opener.
The medical team will reassess Gill on Sunday morning; India will wait and hope.
