While the red-ball leg of South Africa’s India tour continues, the hosts have been hit by an injury to their captain, Shubman Gill. The middle-order batter is recovering from a neck injury as he retired hurt midway through India’s first innings and didn’t bat in the second dig while admitted to a Kolkata hospital. Visuals of Gill leaving the healthcare facility while wearing a neck collar have raised further concerns over whether he will be part of the second Test that starts from Saturday in Guwahati. A report claims Gill will not fly to the city as he has been advised not to take a flight and rest for three to four days. While no timeline has been set over his return to the field, Indian selectors will be sweating over their captain’s fitness given the team has to face South Africa later this month in a three-match ODI series as well. Gill has also been appointed India’s ODI captain, and should he not recover in time, someone else will have to step into the role.
Shubman Gill is currently recovering from a neck injury he suffered midway through the first Test between India and South Africa in Kolkata last week. He seemed to have aggravated it while playing a slog sweep on Day 2, following which he was rushed to a local hospital. He missed the remainder of the contest as India lost by 30 runs. Now, Gill is doubtful to get fit in time for the 2nd Test starting November 22. (PTI Photo)
Shreyas Iyer: The star middle-order batter was named Gill’s deputy last month. However, like Gill, he too suffered an unfortunate injury which could have been fatal. While taking a catch during an ODI in Australia, Iyer suffered a spleen laceration which has put him out of action indefinitely. If Iyer was fit, he would have been the ODI captain in Gill’s absence. However, right now, he’s continuing his rehab and may not be available for the South Africa series, ruling him out of contention. (PTI Photo)
KL Rahul: He has been part of India’s leadership group for a while now, being a senior player. Rahul, in fact, is the third most experienced ODI captain among the active India cricketers, having led in 12 ODIs and overseeing victories in eight of them while losing four. He has also led in Tests (thrice) and T20Is (once). Besides, he has rich IPL captaincy experience. (PTI Photo)
Rishabh Pant: The wicketkeeper-batter is the current Test vice-captain and led the team in Kolkata when Gill was absent. He has led India in five T20Is, of which they have won two and lost as many, with one no result. Like KL Rahul, Pant too has rich IPL captaincy experience. Kolkata Test was his first international match since the England tour which ended prematurely for him following a toe injury. (PTI Photo)
Hardik Pandya: The star all-rounder suffered an injury during India’s victorious campaign at the recent Asia Cup T20 in the UAE. Since then, he seems to have made a full recovery and may end up being picked for the South Africa ODI series. Pandya has led India in three ODIs before, of which he won 2 and lost once. He has also led in 16 T20Is and won 10 of them while tasting defeat on five occasions. Pandya has won IPL as captain. (PTI Photo)
Axar Patel: The all-rounder has also been part of India’s leadership group. However, he was removed as India T20I vice-captain upon the return of Shubman Gill who replaced him in the role. While Axar hasn’t captained India yet at international level, he leads his IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals. (PTI Photo)
Rohit Sharma: Well, not unlikely but not impossible! Rohit’s last act as India ODI captain was lifting the Champions Trophy in March this year. However, the team management seems to have zeroed in on Gill to lead their challenge for the next ODI World Cup, seemingly moving on from Rohit, the captain. Rohit enjoys captaincy, and in the 56 ODIs he has led, India have won 42 and lost 12. Would the Indian team management be willing to hand over the role, even as a stop-gap arrangement, to the veteran opener? More importantly, will Rohit be interested in leading the team again? (PTI Photo)
India vs South Africa ODIs Schedule: The three-match series will get underway from November 30 in Ranchi before moving to Raipur for the second ODI on December 3 and concluding on December 6 in Vizag. India’s ODI squad for the series is yet to be announced. (PTI Photo)
