NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill was forced to retire hurt after picking up a neck sprain while attempting a slog sweep off Simon Harmer on Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.

Gill faced only three deliveries before the injury cut his innings short. He connected well with a slog-sweep that raced to the boundary at backward square leg, but the follow-through caused a whiplash-like movement, leaving him clutching the back of his neck in pain.

The team physio attended to him immediately, and after a quick assessment, Gill walked off the field visibly uncomfortable.

"Shubman Gill has a neck spasm and is being monitored by the BCCI medical team. A decision on his participation today will be taken as per his progress," BCCI said in a release.

The incident came in an eventful 35th over after the drinks break, where Harmer had moments earlier removed a well-set Washington Sundar for 29 off 82 balls with a classical off-spinner's dismissal -- the ball drifting and turning away to take the outside edge for Aiden Markram at slip.

Gill's premature exit meant India had lost three batters -- two wickets (Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington) and a retired hurt -- in quick time, altering the complexion of the session.

The scoreboard read 79/2 after 35 overs but the hosts could be effectively three down in reply to the visitors' 159 all out.