India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has said the team management will need to examine Shubman Gill’s neck spasm. The Indian skipper retired after he hit Simon Harmer for a boundary on the second day of the opening Test match against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday.
Before the start of play, Gill was seen in discomfort while stretching his neck. Morkel reckons Gill got a bad night’s sleep on Friday night and squashed reports that he suffered a neck spasm due to extra workload.
“I think we first need to determine how he got neck stiffness, maybe just a bad night’s sleep. I don’t think we can put it down to the load. Shubman is a very fit guy, he looks after himself very well, so it’s just unfortunate this morning that he woke up with a stiff neck and that carried him into the day, which was crucial for us.
“Another sort of partnership with him batting around was going to be needed for us at the time and, you know, just bad timing,” Morkel added.
India was bowled out for 189, managing a lead of mere 30 runs and Gill batting only three balls, was a big blow for the team. Gill has been in terrific form in the red-ball format and his injury is a massive concern for the team.
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar scored a decent knock of 29 runs off 82 balls when he was promoted to one drop after Sai Sudharsan was dropped from the team’s playing XI.
Speaking on Sundar, Morkel said, “I think he did really well. Washington has been brilliant for us with the bat every time he got the opportunity, and what a nice sort of opportunity for him in this game to go at three and use him while he is in good form at the moment and hitting the ball well.
“I also think it allows us certain options lower down in the order. I thought it was a brave call to make but, you know, also a quality player that’s playing good cricket at the moment, so why not give him that opportunity?” the 41-year-old added.
South Africa ended the second day’s play at 93-7, leading by 60 runs.
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