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The Board of Control for Cricket in India ($\text{BCCI}$) confirmed on Sunday morning that the skipper was taken to a local hospital for further examination after the close of play on Saturday, November 15. Gill remains under medical observation and will take no further part in the remainder of the Test match at Eden Gardens.
The Incident on Day 2
The injury occurred shortly after the morning session began on Day 2. Coming in to bat after the fall of Washington Sundar’s wicket, Gill attempted a slog sweep off South African off-spinner Simon Harmer.
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Though the shot fetched him a boundary, Gill was immediately seen in visible discomfort, clutching the back of his neck.
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After a brief check by the team physio, his head movement was clearly restricted, forcing him to retire hurt after facing just three balls.
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Gill’s early exit compounded India’s batting troubles, contributing to a rapid decline where the team lost seven wickets over the next 28 overs, eventually securing only a 30-run first-innings lead (India 189/9).
Immediate Impact and Future Doubt
With Gill ruled out, the responsibility of leading the team on the field for the remainder of the Test falls to vice-captain Rishabh Pant.
India’s assistant coach, Morne Morkel, suggested that the neck spasm may have been benign in origin, perhaps stemming from a “bad night’s sleep”, rather than the physical workload of his recent multi-format schedule. However, the severity of the injury is significant enough to require hospitalisation and extensive monitoring by the BCCI medical team.
The immediate concern for the Indian management is whether Gill will recover in time for the second Test, which is scheduled to begin in six days’ time on November 22 in Guwahati. His absence not only impacts the ongoing Test but also raises questions about India’s stability heading into the next fixture of the series.
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