Nitish Reddy recalled to Test squad as Shubman Gill doubtful for 2nd Test

NEW DELHI: After being released from the India squad to take part in India A's one-day series against South Africa A, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has now been asked to rejoin the Test squad ahead of the second Test in Guwahati starting Saturday, according to a report in the Times of India. The decision comes amid strong indications that captain Shubman Gill is highly unlikely to participate in the match.

Nitish Reddy is set to join the squad ahead of schedule and will participate in the optional training session at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Although the BCCI had earlier stated that he would rejoin the team closer to the IND vs SA second Test, the situation has changed following Gill's neck injury during the opening Test.

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Gill, who was briefly hospitalised before being discharged, remains doubtful for the Guwahati match. As a result, Reddy has been called in as a backup and could even find himself in the playing XI if the skipper fails to recover in time.

"He has acute neck pain, and we're not allowed to further go to details about the injury. He has to keep continuing wearing the neck collar," the source told PTI.

"He has been advised three-four days rest and not to take flight. In this situation, he is not advised to travel to Guwahati. But we are monitoring his progress on a daily basis and the picture will be clearer by Tuesday," the sources added.

Gill suffered the injury while batting on the second day of the game, was ruled out of the first Test before the start of the third day's play at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He was not available to bat in the second innings when India were shot out for 93.

Gill was stretchered into an ambulance to be admitted to a hospital on Saturday evening with his neck immobilised, hours after retiring hurt in India's first innings.

Gill also missed a Test against New Zealand in October 2024 due to a neck spasm. His latest setback comes at a time when the team is closely monitoring his workload.