IND vs SA T20Is: Shubman Gill likely to be ruled out of remainder of series

Shubman Gill (Pic: File Pic)

Team India's vice-captain, Shubman Gill, who is struggling to find his form, has been ruled out of the last two T20I matches against South Africa.

The right-hander has sustained a toe injury, sources close to the team told PTI. It is also learnt that he sustained the injury during the training session, and all precautionary measures are being taken to ensure his recovery.

"Shubman had an extended batting session at the nets on the eve of the fourth T20 International. Towards the end of the session, he was hit on the toe while batting in the nets. He was in pain and was hobbling. It would have been difficult for him to play on Wednesday. Hence, he didn't accompany the team as there was little chance of him playing this game," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"At this point it is difficult to say if he will play in Ahmedabad," he added.

Before the T20 World Cup 2026, Team India will lock horns against New Zealand for the bilateral series. The selection committee and team management will need to take precautions regarding Gill's feature in the global showpiece.

Earlier, the 26-year-old cricketer also missed out on the Test and ODI series against the Proteas due to a neck injury. Following the injury, he was hospitalised. In his absence, Rishabh Pant led the Indian pack in the second Test match, and the "Men in Blue" played the 50-over series under the captaincy of KL Rahul.

He was declared fit by the Centre of Excellence (COE) ahead of the T20I series, even as critics have been questioning his place in the side ahead of Sanju Samson, who had hit three centuries in the preceding season.

Gill's returns for the series have been low, with 4 and 0 in the first two outings, followed by a run-a-ball 28 in the third game in Dharamsala, where he didn't look in his element.

However, the entire coaching staff, headed by Gautam Gambhir, has firmly backed their star batter to come good at the T20 World Cup starting in February next year.

(With PTI Inputs)