NEW DELHI: India have suffered a significant setback ahead of the must-win second Test in Guwahati, with captain Shubman Gill ruled out due to the neck injury he picked up during the opening match in Kolkata.

Though Gill travelled with the squad and appeared comfortable on arrival in Assam, the medical team has advised against playing, saying the strain has not healed enough for him to endure a five-day game.

Gill travelled with the team but ruled out after assessment

Gill walked out of the Guwahati airport without any neck support, raising hopes that he might still take the field in the decider. However, detailed assessments on Thursday confirmed that the stiffness and internal strain remained a concern.

According to a report by NDTV, Gill was “desperate to play” the second Test, but doctors felt that pushing him now could worsen the injury. With the series on the line and India’s schedule packed, the management opted for caution.

Medical experts have now suggested that Gill will need at least ten additional days of rest and rehabilitation. This makes his participation in the upcoming ODI series, starting November 30 in Ranchi, highly uncertain.

With little at stake in that series, selectors are likely to rest him completely before considering his return for the T20 leg.