India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has officially become the 38th Test captain of the Indian men’s cricket team, taking charge after regular skipper Shubman Gill was ruled out of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati.
Gill, who played only three balls in the first Test in Kolkata before leaving the field clutching his neck, was later diagnosed with a neck spasm. Though he travelled with the team to Guwahati after being discharged from hospital, he missed both practice sessions and did not recover fully in time. The BCCI confirmed that Gill will return to Mumbai for further medical assessment.
Pant revealed that he was informed of the leadership responsibility only a day before the match.
“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 everyday,” Pant said.
Pant’s appointment marks a significant moment in Indian cricket, making him the 38th player to captain India in Test cricket, and his first time leading the Test side.
With Gill out, India are expected to bring in one of Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, or Nitish Kumar Reddy as they aim to level the series.
