India name stand-in skipper as Gill update drops for Guwahati Test
Rishabh Pant set to lead India in the Guwahati Test following a neck injury to Shubman Gill.
The BCCI have confirmed that India's Test skipper and batter Shubman Gill will be sidelined from the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati after sustaining a neck injury on Day 2 of the first Test in Kolkata.
He was kept under observation before being discharged the following day and travelled to Guwahati on 19 November.
However, Gill has not regained full fitness for the second Test and will proceed to Mumbai for further assessment.
In the 26-year-old's absence, Rishabh Pant will lead the side in Guwahati.
India captain Shubman Gill walks back to the pavilion after his neck injury during the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens on November 15. // Getty Images
Gill was forced off the field after attempting a slog sweep off Simon Harmer during India's first innings and was eventually ruled out of the game.
He was unable to take the field during India's chase of 124 and was called absent hurt in their 30-run defeat that handed the Proteas a 1-0 advantage in the two-Test series.
Gill, who was named India's skipper in the longest format of the game earlier this year, has been in splendid form with the bat since, having registered four hundreds and a double hundred in his eight Tests so far at the helm.
India currently sit fourth in the ICC World Test Championship standings, with a 54.17 PCT.
Trailing 1-0 and missing their full-time skipper, the hosts will take on South Africa in the series decider beginning Saturday, November 22 in Guwahati.
