Shubman Gill, the captain of the Indian cricket team, has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test in Kolkata. The injury, which occurred while he was batting, is more serious than initially thought and may require an extended recovery period. Reports indicate that Gill is dealing with a nerve injury and has received an injection to help alleviate his symptoms. He is currently in Mumbai undergoing further medical evaluations, including an MRI, to assess the extent of the damage.

With Gill unavailable, the focus has shifted to leadership for the ODI series, which begins on November 30 in Ranchi. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are the leading candidates to take over as stand-in captain. While Pant is currently leading the team in the second Test, he has played only one ODI in the past year. Rahul, on the other hand, is seen as a more viable option for the captaincy in this one-off series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the ODI squad at a selection meeting in Mumbai on November 23. In addition to Gill's absence, Shreyas Iyer is also sidelined due to a rib injury, further complicating the team's selection.

The three-match ODI series will take place in Ranchi, Raipur, and Vizag, concluding on December 6. Gill's injury is significant as it would have marked his second series as captain after taking over from Rohit Sharma. His absence raises concerns about the team's performance, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching in early 2024.

As the team prepares for the series, the selection committee may also consider including new players to fill the gaps left by injured players. With Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss the ODIs and Hardik Pandya focusing on T20s, the bowling lineup may see fresh faces like Akash Deep and Harshit Rana joining the squad. The team management is keen to ensure that Gill recovers fully before returning to play, prioritizing his long-term fitness over immediate participation in upcoming matches.