IND vs SA 2025: Shubman Gill ruled out of Guwahati Test, Rishabh Pant to lead

Published - 21 Nov 2025, 13:04 IST | Updated - 21 Nov 2025, 13:04 IST

India Test captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the Guwahati Test against South Africa. The second Test of the two-match series is scheduled to commence on November 22.

Gill had suffered a neck spasm during the match at the Eden Gardens during India's first innings while at the crease. He retired not-out on Day 2 of the Test and was taken to a nearby hospital for further assessment after the day's play. Gill's progress was monitored overnight and he was discharged the next day.

The top-order batter even travelled to Guwahati on November 19. However, he will miss out on leading the team as he has not gained match fitness. Rishabh Pant will fill be the stand-in captain, while Gill is set to head to Mumbai to evaluate the full extent of his injury.

Pant will do well as captain in 2nd Test: Former AUS skipper

Earlier, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had said that the team will not risk playing a half-fit Gill given that could aggravate the injury.

"He is definitely recovering really well," Kotak had said in a press conference. "Now, the decision [whether to play him or not] will be taken tomorrow evening. The physios, doctors, they will have to take a call that, [even] if he is fully recovered, [during the] game, he should not get that spasm again.

"[...] If we have a, guarantee that, very likely, he won't have this issue again, then he will play. If there is a doubt, then I am sure, he will take rest [for] one more game, because it won't be helpful to the team [if he plays]."

Gill was seen twitching his neck immediately after hitting a boundary on the third ball of his innings. He was attended by the physio before he decided to walk back retired hurt. He did not return to bat in the game with India being left a batter short in both the innings, and vice-captain Pant taking the charge Gill's absence.

Speaking of how the match panned out, the Proteas were bowled out for 153 in their second innings after India had secured a 30-run first innings lead. However, they were shot out for 93 for the loss of nine wickets (with Gill not batting). Only four players got to double-digit scores as the South African spinners led by Simon Harmer (4/21 in 14 overs) managed to defend an unlikely 124-run target they had set for the hosts.

With Gill's absence confirmed, there will a lot of eyes on Pant and how he manages to lead the team in a contest which is crucial to India's 2025/27 cycle of the World Test Championship. The wicketkeeper-batter did not have the best of games (27 off 24 and 2 off 13) in his comeback international match after the foot injury he had picked up during the England tour earlier in the year.