India won't risk another Gill injury in 2nd S Africa Test

GUWAHATI, India, Nov 20 (AFP): India will not play skipper Shubman Gill in the second Test against South Africa on Saturday if it risks aggravating his neck injury, a team coach said.

Gill has travelled with the squad to Guwahati but faces a race against time, with a decision set to be made late on the eve of the match.

The top-order batsman suffered neck spasms in the first innings of the opening Test and pulled out of the remainder of the match, spending a night in hospital.

"He is definitely recovering really well," batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Thursday, amid reports in Indian media that Gill is set to miss the Test.

"The decision will be taken tomorrow evening because the physios,

doctors will have to take a call that even if he is fully recovered he should not get the spasm again during the game." "If he is

fully recovered and it is a guarantee that he won't have this issue

again then he will play,"

said Kotak.