Shubman Gill is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the series-deciding second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, despite being “desperate” to play. The India captain, just eight matches into his Test leadership tenure, traveled with the team but remains far from 100% fit according to sources.​

Neck Injury Concerns

Gill sustained the neck injury on day two of the Kolkata Test and was hospitalized for observation before being discharged the next day. He neither fielded in South Africa’s second innings nor batted during India’s disastrous chase of 124, effectively leaving the team one batter short in their 30-run defeat.​

According to PTI sources, the 26-year-old is “far from being 100 per cent fit, with the pain in the nape of his neck still lingering, although its intensity has reduced considerably”.​

Ten Days Needed for Full Recovery

Medical experts believe Gill probably needs at least 10 days to fully recover and complete rehabilitation to be match-ready. However, with the Guwahati Test starting Saturday—just five days after his discharge—time is critically short.​

While he traveled to Guwahati without a neck brace, videos showed him not completely comfortable with his movement.​

Desperate to Lead

Despite his physical limitations, Gill is reportedly eager to play the must-win Test. As a new captain still establishing himself in the dressing room, missing another crucial match is the last thing he wants.​

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed a final decision will be made on the eve of the match. “He is definitely recovering well — I met him yesterday. Decision will be taken tomorrow evening. Physio and doctors will take a call. Even if he is recovered, he shouldn’t get the spasm again during play. That is important,” Kotak said.​

Captaincy Concerns

Beyond fitness, there’s a strategic dimension to Gill’s desperation. With ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also far from fit after his on-field injury, the last thing Gill wants is a third captaincy contender emerging—whether KL Rahul or Axar Patel—even in a stop-gap role.​

The Bigger Picture

Even if Gill plays Saturday’s Test, he realistically cannot handle the workload of the second Test, three ODIs starting November 30, and five T20Is in the next four weeks along with all the air travel involved.​

The logical step would be resting him from the low-stakes ODI series against South Africa to allow proper recovery. With little at stake in that series, he could easily take a break and return for the T20Is.​

Pant on Standby

Reports suggest Rishabh Pant will lead India if Gill is ruled out, with left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan likely to replace the captain in the playing XI. This would mark Pant’s first time captaining India in Tests.​

Medical Team Monitoring

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia’s statement kept the suspense alive: “Shubman has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on 19th November, 2025. He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team and a decision on his participation in the 2nd Test will be taken accordingly”.​

The question now is whether Gill’s desperation to play overrides medical caution—or whether India’s team management will take the long-term view and rest their captain for proper recovery.