Shubman Gill Ruled Out of Kolkata Test After Neck Injury; Rishabh Pant Takes Charge
Due to a neck injury, India captain Shubman Gill will miss the rest of the first Test match against South Africa on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) November 16: India captain Shubman Gill is not going to play more in the ongoing first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata after withdrawing from his team's batting innings with a neck spasm. On the eve of Day 3, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released an update on the 26-year-old, saying that Gill was taken to hospital for a checkup. The BCCI Medical Team is keeping an eye on the right-handed hitter as he stays in the hospital.
BCCI Confirms Gill Out of First Test After Hospitalisation
BCCI said, “Captain Shubman Gill had a neck injury on Day 2 of the ongoing Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day's play,” in a statement.
“He is currently under observation in the hospital. He will take no further part in the Test match. He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team,” it added.
India’s assistant coach Morne Morkel said, "Yeah, I think we first need to determine how he got the neck stiffness, maybe just a bad night's sleep. I don't think it's, or we can put it down to the (work) load,” regarding the injury.
Injury Occurred After Painful Sweep Shot During India’s Innings
Hours after retiring injured during India's opening innings, Gill was stretchered into an ambulance and taken to a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday night, November 15, 2025, with his neck strapped.
Gill hardly used the bat for three balls during India's innings before leaving in obvious pain. After Washington Sundar was removed by Simon Harmer, the Indian captain went out to bat.
Gill unleashed the sweep stroke on the third ball he saw, smacking the delivery for a boundary. But Gill was spotted clutching the back of his neck in agony as soon as he played the shot.
For the remainder of the game, India will be led by vice captain Rishabh Pant, who did so on Saturday when Gill was away.
Gill’s Packed 2025 Cricket Schedule Raises Fitness Concerns
It should be remembered that Gill has been a bit busy since he was appointed captain of the Indian Test team. He’s been playing cricket without a break since the Champions Trophy in February – March 2025.
Gill has represented in the Asia Cup 2025, Champions Trophy, Indian Premier League (IPL) for Gujarat Titans this season and five England Test matches, two West Indies Test matches, three ODIs and five Twenty20 Internationals against Australia.
