Gill set to undergo fitness test on Friday but unlikely to play 2nd Test

India captain Shubman Gill who has not trained due to a neck spasm sustained during the first Test against South Africa will undergo a fitness test on Friday in a lastditch attempt to be available for the second game batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has indicatedGill developed the spasm on the second day of the opening Test in Kolkata that India lost by 30 runs and hasnt returned to the nets ever sinceWhile his chances remain slim the BCCI sports science team is waiting as long as possible before taking a final call The second and final Test begins on SaturdaySee he is definitely recovering really well because I also met him yesterday Kotak said ahead of a practice session that Gill skippedNow the decision will be taken tomorrow evening because the physios and doctors have to decide whether even if he is fully recovered theres a chance of the spasm recurring during the match That is very importantIf there is a doubt then I am sure he will rest for one more game because it wont help the team otherwise A player like Shubman and hes the captain so any team would miss him Kotak addedWhile acknowledging the impact of Gills absence Kotak expressed confidence in the bench strengthBut if he is missing out because of injury we have batters and plenty of good players They are professionals they should come and perform for the team Kotak saidWe all wish he plays but if he doesnt we will definitely have a good replacement and maybe the guy coming in will score a hundredIn the first Test in Kolkata Dhruv Jurel batted at No 4 in the second innings and Kotak did not rule out that option again though he stressed that combinations would only be discussed after Gills fitness testJurel batted at No 4 so he is one option But until we know about Shubman there is no point discussing who will play he saidOnce we know and once we see the wicket tomorrow we will think about the best combinationKotak summed up the significance of Gills absence in the first Test with pointed clarityIn the last game nobody discussed much about what our chances would have been had Shubman batted in both innings he saidThe second innings may not have even mattered If in the first innings he had batted and we had one partnership with a 100run lead we would have been fine Thats not an excuse but a reality that he couldnt bat in two inningsIt is learnt that Gill probably needs 10 days to fully recover and then complete his rehabilitation to be matchreadyBut if he plays the Test match the logical step for the selectors would be to rest him from the threematch ODI series against the Proteas starting November 30 in RanchiThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever