Guwahati: Indian cricket skipper Shubman Gill is likely to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury that requires extended rest, sources in the BCCI told PTI on Saturday. Gill's injury, sustained as a whiplash during the opening Kolkata Test, is reportedly more serious than a simple neck spasm, with medical tests including an MRI ongoing to assess whether it involves muscle or nerve tissue damage. The team management is unwilling to rush his return, aiming for his possible fitness by the South Africa T20I series.

In Gill’s absence, the captaincy options under consideration include wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who currently leads India in Tests, and senior player KL Rahul, who is also the team's primary wicketkeeper. Veteran Rohit Sharma, also part of the squad, remains a possible candidate. Rahul is favoured as the stand-in captain for this ODI series, especially since deputy Shreyas Iyer remains sidelined with a spleen injury expected to keep him out for at least two more months.

The squad selection is expected to see Yashasvi Jaiswal opening alongside Rohit Sharma, with Abhishek Sharma as a reserve opener. The pace attack will likely feature Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, with Akash Deep as a backup option. Jasprit Bumrah will be rested following two Test series, while Hardik Pandya, recovering from a quadriceps injury, will be restricted to T20Is until next year’s World Cup. Kuldeep Yadav might take a break for personal reasons, leaving Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Washington Sundar to handle the spin duties. The series begins on November 30 in Ranchi.

With inputs from PTI