India will enter the crucial 2nd Test against South Africa in Guwahati with a new captain after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a persistent neck injury. The BCCI confirmed that Gill, who retired hurt during the first Test in Kolkata, has not recovered fully and will travel to Mumbai for further assessment.
With Gill unavailable, Rishabh Pant has been appointed captain, becoming the 38th player to lead India in Test cricket and only the second wicketkeeper-batter after MS Dhoni to hold the role. Pant previously captained India in T20Is in 2022.
Gill travelled with the team to Guwahati but did not participate in training sessions. His absence comes at a crucial moment, as India trail 0–1 after losing the opening Test inside three days. Pant now faces the challenge of preventing a rare back-to-back home series defeat, with Guwahati hosting its first-ever Test match.
