'Gill has become captain recently...': Bhuvneshwar Kumar's blunt take on speculations around Shubman's workload challenge after neck injury during Kolkata Test

India Test and ODI captain ruled out of the first Test match against South Africa after suffering a serious neck spasm at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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Indian captain Shubman Gill leaves the ground with an injury on day 2 of the India vs South Africa test match at Eden Gardens cricket ground in Kolkata, India, on November 15, 2025

Indian captain Shubman Gill leaves the ground with an injury on day 2 of the India vs South Africa test match at Eden Gardens cricket ground in Kolkata, India, on November 15, 2025

Story Highlights:

Shubman Gill likely to miss second Test vs South Africa.

India vs South Africa 2nd Test will take place in Guwahati.

India Test captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury during the first Test match against South Africa, which forced him to miss the remainder of the clash as India featured with 10 batters. After Gill's injury, there were talks about his workload as the batter has been playing continuous cricket since becoming India's Test captain before the England Test series. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Shubman Gill's workload management

However, India's sultan of swing Bhuvneshwar Kumar did not want to be drawn into talk about workload management for the young captain. He believes that if Gill wants to take a break, he can do that because the stylish batter is a part of the think-tank and decision-making. 

"Gill has become captain recently. If he so desires, he would speak out for himself. He is part of the think-tank, decision-making, so if he really needs rest he will say that he needs rest. Mentally and physically he is in a position to say that." opined Bhuvneshwar, who would be donning Royal Challengers Colours once again in the IPL next year.

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How did Shubman Gill get injured?

Gill suffered a serious neck spasm during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, which caused him to retire hurt on Day 2 after facing only three deliveries. The injury, sustained after playing a sweep shot, forced him to be taken to the hospital for observation, where he was diagnosed with a neck spasm and discharged a day later.

Will Shubman miss the second Test vs South Africa?

Gill, who was hospitalised in Kolkata after a neck injury, is likely to miss the second Test match, which is scheduled to start from November 22 at ACA Stadium in Guwahati. However, the young batter will reportedly travel for Guwahati alongside team and and if he fails to get fit before the second clash, then he will travel to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from Kolkata, as there are no restrictions on flying.

Nitish Kumar Reddy joined Indian squad

Indian fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has reportedly joined the Indian squad in Kolkata before the second Test, and there are chances that he might feature in the second clash if Shubman Gill misses out. 

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