Why is Shubman Gill not playing today in IND vs SA 1st ODI at Ranchi?

The first of the 3-match ODI series is underway in Ranchi (IND vs SA 1st ODI). After losing the 2-match Test series by 0-2, India is up against South Africa in the 50-over format match. In the first match, KL Rahul is assigned as the skipper of Team India. But where is Shubman Gill? Why is he not playing the important match? 

Shubman Gill is the regular captain of India's ODI and Test teams. As he and Shreyas Iyer are not available in IND vs SA 1st ODI, Rahul is playing the game as the stand-in skipper. Gill is out of action due to injury. He received the injury in the first Test match against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

During the batting in the first innings of the match, he injured his neck while playing a sweep shot for a boundary. Right after playing the shot, Gill felt pain in his neck and left the field after a while. Since then, the top-order batter has been out of action. Currently, he is recovering from the injury. Before the beginning of the IND vs SA ODI series, Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel provided an update on Gill's medical condition.

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Why is Shubman Gill not playing India vs South Africa 1st ODI in Ranchi

"I think the best is for the medical team to give that update. I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him, and he is recovering well. So, that is pleasing to hear," Morkel informed. 

Iyer is out from the match because of a rib injury. He is now under rehab. "Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. So, we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. The good thing is that they are healthy, and they are starting their preparation on their way back into the team," Morkel said about Iyer's current condition. 

Playing XIs:

South Africa: Aiden Markram (C), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock (WK), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, and Ottneil Baartman.

India: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna.