With Shubman Gill Out, Who Will Now Captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma? BCCI Reveals

The India National Cricket Team is currently facing a leadership dilemma just ahead of a crucial white-ball series against South Africa. Indian captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa with a neck injury and is set to miss the second Test as well.

It is being said that Shubman Gill will not travel to Guwahati with the team for the second and final Test against South Africa, starting on November 22. Even the young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recalled to fill in amid concerns over Gill’s fitness.

Shubman Gill is likely to miss the second Test against South Africa

However, the second test is yet to get underway in Guwahati, but the focus has already shifted to the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, and the squad will be announced soon. The first ODI match is scheduled on November 30 in Ranchi.

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The remaining two matches will be played in Raipur on December 3 and Visakhapatnam on December 6, respectively.

Following the ODI series, India and South Africa will also play a five-match T20I series that will be played from December 9 to December 19 in Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. However, India's captaincy plans for the ODI series remain uncertain.

KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant to lead India against South Africa in ODIs

Captain Shubman Gill is likely to miss the ODI series, while the designated vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, is also sidelined due to injury. This leaves KL Rahul and Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant as the top contenders to lead the team in the absence of the regular leaders.

As reported by the Times of India, KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant is set to lead the Men in Blue in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. However, there are high chances of Rahul getting the honor because of his experience and seniority in the side.

The selectors are expected to decide soon, with Shubman Gill possibly being rested to focus on the T20I series and avoid burnout since the Punjab lad has been continuously playing cricket across the format.

The ODI series is also set to mark the return of key all-rounders Hardik Pandya, who missed the Australia tour due to injury recovery, and Ravindra Jadeja.

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IND vs SA ODIs crucial for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Well, the upcoming ODI series against South Africa is crucial for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. They proved their skills and form during the Australia tour, but now they will need to keep performing consistently.

Strong performances against South Africa and in the matches that follow will be key if they want to stay in contention for the ICC World Cup 2027.

Notably, Shubman Gill had to leave the field after facing just three balls in the first innings in the first Test that the hosts lost by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He felt pain in his neck while playing a sweep shot and couldn’t continue.

The BCCI confirmed that Gill had a neck spasm and would miss the rest of the first test. He was then taken to the hospital, where doctors monitored him closely.