Guwahati. Shubhman Gill will also be out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury. BCCI sources gave this information on Saturday. The series will start from November 30. Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant and senior batsman KL Rahul can be considered for captaincy while senior batsman Rohit Sharma is also in the team.

According to reliable BCCI sources, Gill’s injury is not just a neck spasm. He will need rest and the Indian team management will not rush his return. Gill suffered neck cramps while batting in the first Test in Kolkata. He could not play the Guwahati Test due to injury. He is currently in Mumbai where his tests including MRI are being done.

The source said, “Tests are being conducted to see whether there is a muscle injury or tissue injury. As of now, the selectors are hopeful that he will be able to play the T20 against South Africa.” Pant is a strong contender for captaincy who is also captaining in the second test. However, in the last one year he has played only one ODI. Yashasvi Jaiswal can open the innings with Rohit Sharma.

Abhishek Sharma can be the reserve opening batsman. Harshit Rana, Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will take care of the fast bowling. Jasprit Bumrah may be rested. Hardik Pandya, who is suffering from injury, will play only T20 till the World Cup next year. Kuldeep Yadav may take a break due to personal reasons. In such a situation, the onus of spin will be on Akshar Patel, Varun Chakraborty and Washington Sundar.

Gill was released from the Indian Test team on Friday. He reached Guwahati on 19 November. Gill had come to Guwahati with the team but the pain in his neck did not subside completely. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had said on Thursday, “We do not want his problems to increase during the game.” In Gill’s absence, Pant is leading the team in the second Test.