Shubman Gill travels to Guwahati for India’s 2nd Test vs South Africa, but a neck injury keeps his participation uncertain as he continues rehab.

Guwahati:  Shubman Gill and the rest of the India team have traveled to Guwahati for the second Test match against South Africa, but it is unlikely that his neck injury will completely heal before the match starts here on Saturday.

It is acknowledged, therefore, that the captain will make every effort to demonstrate his fitness during Thursday and Friday’s training sessions. The team has arrived in the city.

The 26-year-old Gill is far from fully recovered, according to Indian team sources, as the pain in the nape of his neck has somewhat lessened but is still present.

“Shubman has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on 19th November, 2025,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.

He said, “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,” adding to the tension around the batting star’s availability.

Even if he may be clinically fit, the demands of five-day cricket could make the problem worse and lengthen his recovery time.

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A capable right-hander who can take on spin is essential, especially with the series on line and off-spinner Simon Harmer posing a serious threat following the Kolkata Test.

Even though Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair, and Abhimanyu Easwaran are all skilled spinners, the current coaching staff and selection committee don’t have much faith in them.

Their basic reasoning is that, despite the fact that both Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal are left-handers, hiring someone from outside would be a huge betrayal of faith in the kids’ capacity to cope with stress.

There is a school of thinking that Dhruv Jurel, with his tighter style, would be a better match at No. 3, but Sudharsan hasn’t looked very convincing.

Given that even a somewhat fit captain is thought to be more effective than Sudharsan, Easwaran, or Sarfaraz, Gill—who is known to workout even on optional days—may simply want to be healthy enough to bat.

Additionally, the last thing a rookie captain would want is to miss a Test at this early point in his leadership career while still learning his ropes in the dressing room.

A difficult decision

The story has another dimension. In order to properly recuperate and finish his rehabilitation and be match-ready, Gill most likely needs ten days or more. However, it would make sense for selectors to rest him from the ODI series beginning in Ranchi on November 30 if he participated in the Test match.

He could easily take a sabbatical and come back for the T20s match against South Africa, since he has little stake in the series.

Also read : India vs South Africa 2nd Test 2025: Schedule, Time, and Live Streaming Details

The last thing Gill wants is a third captaincy contender in KL Rahul or Axar Patel, even if it’s just in a stopgap capacity, given his ODI deputy Shreyas Iyer is still recovering from his on-field injuries.

With all the flying miles involved, Gill can’t possibly play the second Test, three ODIs, and five T20Is over the next four weeks.

In the long run, the developing leader would require a break for both his own and the team’s overall well-being because it may easily backfire.