India is expected to be without their Test captain and number three batter, Shubman Gill, for the upcoming second Test of the two-match series against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, as the right-handed batter was admitted to Woodland Hospital during the opening Kolkata Test and is likely to get more rest after being discharged. 

The Indian Test captain came at number three during the first innings of the opening game and played a lovely sweep over the square leg region for a boundary. But soon after standing on his feet after playing the shot, Gill held his neck and felt pain as the physio rushed onto the ground and decided to take the batter out of the field.

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Many expected the Punjab-born to return for the first innings or even in the second innings, but nothing like that happened. Under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy for the rest of the fixture, the home side faced a 30-run defeat, having been bundled out for 93 in the fourth innings of the game.

Who will be India’s new ODI captain in case of Shubman Gill’s injury vs South Africa?

Gill is expected to be ready for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the Proteas, starting on November 30. But if he doesn’t, then the management will need to find a replacement for the position. Gill recently replaced Rohit Sharma as the new ODI captain during their previous away ODI series against Australia down under.

If Gill stays injured, then one of KL Rahul or Pant is likely to lead the Blue Brigade in the 50-over format. The latter is unlikely for the role, given that he is not certain of the position. Or else, the management could think of going back to Rohit for the 50-over captaincy, which is also unlikely.

This ODI series will be the return of both Rohit and Kohli in the 50-over format since the home series against England at the start of the year. In between this, they featured in the Champions Trophy 2025 and the away series.