Shubman Gill has travelled to Guwahati with the rest of the India squad for the second Test against South Africa, but his neck injury is unlikely to fully heal before the game begins here on Saturday. However, it is understood that Gill will try his best to prove his fitness during training sessions on Thursday and Friday. The squad has landed in Guwahati.

It is learnt that Gill is far from being 100 per cent fit with the pain in the nape of his neck still lingering, although its intensity has reduced considerably. “He has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on November 19,” said a statement from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. “He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team and a decision on his participation in the second Test will be taken accordingly,” said Saikia.

While he might be clinically fit, the rigours of five-day cricket could aggravate the issue and result in a longer lay-off. With off-spinner Simon Harmer posing a significant threat after the Kolkata Test, a competent right-hander who can take on spin is a necessity.

There is another aspect to the story. Gill probably needs at least 10 days to fully recover and then complete his rehabilitation to be match-ready. But if he plays the Test match, the logical step for selectors would be to rest him from the ODI series starting November 30 in Ranchi. However, Gill can’t realistically play the second Test, three ODIs and five T20Is in the next four weeks.

Hardik, Bumrah might be rested for ODIs

With next year’s T20 World Cup taking precedence, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, currently recuperating from a quadriceps injury, is unlikely to feature in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa starting November 30, and is expected to focus solely on the shortest format for now.

In keeping with workload management for frontline pacers, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is also likely to be rested from the three-match ODI series, which carries little significance in the build-up to the T20 showpiece. Hardik sustained quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup T20 in Dubai last September and missed the final against Pakistan. It is understood that Hardik will first prove his match fitness for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before playing the T20I series against South Africa and New Zealand.

Also read: Shubman Gill admitted to ICU; critical care panel set