India vs South Africa: Injured Shubman Gill likely to miss Guwahati Test

India's Test captain Shubman Gill is in serious doubt of making it to the playing XI for the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. The match starts on November 22 and as far as recent updates go, Gill is still struggling with his neck spasm that he sustained while batting on the second day of the Kolkata Test.

The 26-year-old was seen wearing the neck brace while leaving the airport and appeared to be in discomfort. It doesn't seem like his medical condition would improve completely before the second Test as there are only four days left. Like any major injury, neck spasms can be lethal for cricketers and despite being 0-1 down in the series, India are unlikely to rush Gill back into action.

The incident happened in the 35th over when Gill was swept Keshav Maharaj for a boundary. Instantly, the Indian captain felt for his neck and called the physio onto the field. Shortly, Gill walked off the field retired hurt and took no further part in the match. In his absence, India's batting faltered as they registered a 30-run defeat while pursuing a tricky target of 124 on an explosive Kolkata pitch.

The team management is closely monitoring Gill's progress along with the medical staff but it does appear to be a race against time for him  if he has to play the Guwahati Test match. There is also a white-ball leg for this series and with the T20 World Cup not far away, Gill would not want to risk a potential long-term injury.

Apart from being the Test captain, Gill is also the ODI captain and was presented with T20I vice-captaincy. Even as his returns in the shortest format continue to be middling, the Punjab batter seems to have the backing of head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

As per reports, the team management of the Test team is looking for options to keep as stand-by, if and when Gill gets ruled out officially from the Guwahati fixture.