Rishabh Pant will lead India against South Africa in Shubman Gill’s absence as they seek to level the Test series 1-1 at Barsapara Stadium
India captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the second and final Test against South Africa with a neck injury.
Gill retired hurt in the first innings of the opening Test in Kolkata and did not bat in the second as South Africa won inside three days.
The top-order batter travelled to Guwahati after being discharged from hospital, but was not deemed fit for what will be the first-ever Test match at Barsapara Stadium.
“Unfortunately, he was not fully fit to feature in the second Test and will head to Mumbai for further assessment of his injury,” the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said in a statement on the eve of the match.
“Rishabh Pant will lead the team in the second Test in Gill’s absence.”
Pant said he was happy to lead the side, but did not want it to distract him from trying to help India level the series.
“I’m really proud that BCCI has given me this opportunity,” he said.
“Whenever you are leading your country is the proudest moment, especially in Test cricket.
“At the same time, I don’t want to think too much about it. I don’t want to take that undue pressure of captaincy in my mind. I just want to keep things simple.”
South Africa will be without Kagiso Rabada for the match which starts on Saturday after the fast bowler failed to recover from a rib injury that will also keep him out of the white-ball portion of the tour.
Rabada missed the Proteas’ 30-run victory at Eden Gardens after sustaining a rib bone stress injury in training ahead of the game.
South Africa called up seamer Lungi Ngidi earlier this week in anticipation of Rabada’s absence and he will be in contention to start.
“He (Rabada) will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation programme with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test,” Cricket South Africa said in a statement on Thursday.
The tourists will also play three one-day internationals and five T20 matches against India on the tour.
