India to Proceed Cautiously with Gill’s Return, Coach Kotak Assures

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the media regarding Shubman Gill’s uncertain participation in the upcoming Test against South Africa in Guwahati, starting Saturday. Gill, who experienced a neck spasm during India’s recent match in Kolkata, was hospitalized and missed part of the game after a brief initial innings. Although he traveled to Guwahati on Wednesday, he did not participate in Thursday’s practice at Barsapara Stadium.

Kotak emphasized that the team is cautious about Gill’s return, stating, “He is recovering well, but a decision will be made by tomorrow evening after consulting with the physios and doctors. It’s crucial to ensure he doesn’t experience another spasm during the match.”

Reflecting on the Kolkata Test, Kotak suggested that Gill’s absence in both innings might have affected the game’s outcome. “Had Shubman batted, the 30-run defeat margin could have been irrelevant with a possible 100-run lead,” he noted.

Despite Gill’s potential absence, Kotak expressed confidence in the team’s batting depth, stating, “We have capable players ready to step up if Shubman isn’t fit to play. We hope he can play, but we’re prepared for a strong replacement if needed.”

Due to Gill’s uncertain status and other variables, Kotak withheld comments on the team’s lineup, explaining, “We’ll finalize the combination based on Shubman’s availability and the pitch conditions.”

The article was published on November 20, 2025.