NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill has assured fans that he is "perfectly fine" after recovering from a neck injury that briefly sidelined him ahead of India's ongoing series against South Africa. The young opener revealed that a disc bulge in his neck had caused nerve compression, forcing him to spend a couple of days in the hospital before regaining full fitness.
India's Test and ODI captain had injured his neck while playing a sweep shot in the first Test against South Africa last month, forcing him to miss the second Test in Guwahati and the subsequent ODI series.
"I'm definitely fine. My body feels perfectly fine," Gill said while talking to official broadcaster ahead of first T20I against South Africa in Cuttack, adding that a spasm before the start of play triggered the problem. "When I played the match, I think I got a strain on my neck and got a bulge which hit the nerves. But I recovered well after that."
Gill admitted that watching India struggle during the Test series was "not ideal," but he took heart from the team's improved performances in the ODIs. With the T20 World Cup approaching, he stressed the importance of using the remaining matches to lock in rhythm, combinations and clarity.
"We have 10 T20s left before the World Cup. Hopefully, we'll find our momentum and rhythm, and the style of play we want going into the tournament," he said.
Gill also highlighted the importance of preparing for varied conditions. "There might be a chance we'll play on some surfaces or some grounds where there would be a lot of dew. So finding the right combinations for those conditions will be key for us."
Fully recovered and mentally refreshed, Gill said he feels ready to contribute as India builds towards the showpiece event.
