Shubman Gill Poised For T20I Return Against South Africa After Recovering From Neck Injury: Report

IND vs SA: India's star batter Shubman Gill might make a comeback to the national side as he is on the verge of getting a full recovery from the neck injury, which kept him out of action for the last few weeks. Gill, who is India's ODI and Test captain, had stayed out of action after getting injured in the first Test against the same opponent in Kolkata.

As per a Times of India report, Gill has been working on his match fitness steadily.

Gill had reached BCCI's CoE earlier this week, where he underwent a proper rehab programme, which is suited for his injury. In the last few days, he was seen participating in a lot of batting practice sessions to analyse his pain, mobility, and endurance. These sessions turned out well for him and have helped the medical staff to increase his workload. Apart from batting, he was also seen attending fielding and catching sessions. The medical staff at CoE are being careful with Gill as they have analysed his role in the T20I series. Their priority is to make sure that he returns when he regains full fitness so that he doesn't get injured again.

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When Will Gill Return to India?

His recovery might have shown encouraging signs, but Gill hasn't received his Return to Play (RTP) clearance yet. A lot will depend on the match-simulation exercise, which he will undergo in the two days. If these sessions go smoothly, then Gill will get the final clearance and might join the national team in Cuttack this week.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is already made aware of his progress, and he might be a part of India's T20I team for the series against South Africa, on one condition: “subject to fitness."

If the team management doesn't see any major concerns, they might pick him for the team. And if they think that they are rushing him back, then Gill might miss the series opener. But that is highly unlikely.

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Owing to his injury, he also had to miss the second Test in Guwahati and the ongoing ODI series as well.

Post talking to a spine specialist in Mumbai, where he has been asked to take rest, and that's why he had to sit out from this series. Now that he is on track with his rehab, he is soon going to return to the national side.