It’s not the kind of blow India would have wanted in the middle of a high-stakes series. Shubman Gill, the team’s in-form batter and interim captain, is now likely to miss the second Test against South Africa due to a neck injury. And while the official word on his availability is still pending, the signs aren’t encouraging.
The bigger concern isn’t just his absence from a crucial match - it’s why he’s missing in the first place.
Gill has played a staggering amount of cricket this year. Since the end of the IPL, he has featured across formats almost non-stop: the five-match Test series against England, followed by the Asia Cup, then the West Indies tour, and back-to-back games against Australia. Add to that his IPL workload - 15 matches in two months -and the toll becomes obvious.
What’s striking is the contrast in how India has managed its bowlers versus its batters. Jasprit Bumrah, for instance, has had carefully scheduled breaks throughout the year to manage his fitness. Gill, on the other hand, has barely had a breather. Despite being one of the few players selected across all three formats, rest just hasn’t been part of his schedule.
And let’s not forget - Gill isn’t just playing, he’s leading. He’s the captain of India’s ODI and Test teams, and vice-captain in T20Is. Leadership brings extra load - mentally and physically.
If he does miss the second Test, it won’t just hurt India’s chances of drawing the series - it will also mean losing a batter who’s been in peak form. With 983 runs from 16 Test innings this year, including five centuries, Gill has been more than just consistent. He’s been India’s anchor.
That’s what makes his potential absence even more frustrating - not just for fans, but for a team trying to build momentum in the longer format.
It also raises the question: is it time for a rethink in how India approaches workload management? The current policy seems to focus heavily on fast bowlers, but in today’s packed international calendar, batters are just as vulnerable to burnout.
As the team prepares for a must-win game in Guwahati, the bigger worry isn’t just who will replace Gill - it’s whether the system is doing enough to protect its most valuable players before they break down.
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