Shubman Gill out of hospital, status for 2nd Test still in doubt

Dubai: Indian cricket team captain Shubman Gill has returned to the team hotel after being discharged from a Kolkata hospital on Sunday. Gill sustained a neck injury on Saturday and did not bat in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. He had been admitted to Woodlands Hospital and, according to sources, was kept in the ICU as a precaution. He is now stable and able to walk and move his neck with minimal discomfort. Former India captain and CAB president Sourav Ganguly also visited him, spending about 15 minutes speaking with him.

Gill will rest at the team hotel while the BCCI medical staff continues to monitor his condition. His availability for the second Test in Guwahati, starting November 22, remains uncertain. Earlier, head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that the physio would make the final call on Gill’s fitness. Gill briefly came out to bat after Washington Sundar’s dismissal but left the field after facing only three balls. In his absence, vice-captain Rishabh Pant led the team during South Africa’s second innings.

Gill’s unavailability proved costly for India, who fell to a 30-run defeat on Sunday. A brilliant eight-wicket match haul from Simon Harmer and a determined half-century by Temba Bavuma sealed the win for South Africa, giving them a 1—0 lead in the two-match series. The loss also marked India’s first defeat at Eden Gardens since December 2012 against England.