Rishabh Pant breaks silence on becoming 38th India Test captain after Shubman Gill's injury

India National Cricket Team star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the Test captain for the second match of the series against the South Africa National Cricket Team.

This development comes after the original Test captain, Shubman Gill, was ruled out of the match against the Proteas due to a neck injury he suffered during the first game at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Rishabh Pant to become 38th India Test captain

India lost the Test series opener against the Proteas by 30 runs, and the second match of the series is scheduled to be held in Guwahati from November 22.

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A new captain in Rishabh Pant will lead Team India in the crucial match, and the wicketkeeper-batsman will become the 38th captain of India in Test cricket history.

He will be leading India for the first time in Test cricket at a venue where he began his ODI career. Notably, Guwahati will be hosting a Test match for the very first time, and it will become India's 30th Test venue.

The change in captaincy happened because of the injury suffered by Shubman Gill during the first Test. Indian Test skipper suffered a neck injury in Kolkata, and on Day 2 of the Test match, Gill retired hurt, clutching the back of his neck after facing three balls.

His injury was more severe than it looked initially, as he was stretchered off from the venue and was hospitalised. He was also seen wearing a neck brace, and the BCCI announced that the skipper won't be able to participate in the rest of the Test match.

Later, he was released from the hospital and advised rest by the medical team, and the batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had updated that they want Gill to take his time before his comeback so that his neck issues don't flare up again.

He's doing fine, getting better - Rishabh Pant on Shubman Gill

In an official media release, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that Shubman Gill travelled to Guwahati, but was not able to achieve full fitness and will travel to Mumbai for further assessment of his injury.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant attended the pre-match press conference, where he stated that Gill was keen to play the match but was unable to recover. He elaborated (as quoted by Cricbuzz):

"He's doing fine, getting better. He was very keen on playing this Test. I got to know yesterday only that I will be leading in this Test... I've been having a chat with Gill every day."

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir blocks Shubman Gill from playing IPL, Gujarat Titans in trouble

One-off match is not the best scenario - Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant, being very bold as usual, said that becoming a captain for a one-off match is not the best scenario, but thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for giving him the opportunity.

He added that he doesn't want to think too much, and after a disastrous show in the first Test, they would do everything required to win the second game.

"One off match is not best scenario for a captain but I am thankful to BCCI for giving me this honour. Sometime if you think too much about big occasion it doesn't help," Rishabh Pant said on captaining India in second Test against South Africa, as quoted by PTI.

"Don't want to overthink. We had a tough first Test and we need to do whatever is required to win the Test."