Shubman Gill retired hurt after suffering a neck sprain while attempting a slog-sweep off Simon Harmer on the second day of the first Test against South Africa, in Kolkata, on Saturday.
India’s skipper faced just three balls before the injury forced him off the field.
He struck Harmer for a slog-swept four over backward square leg but appeared to suffer a whiplash in the follow-through, immediately clutching the back of his neck.
The physio rushed in, and after a brief check the opener walked off grimacing in discomfort. He did not return to bat in India's first innings, which folded for 189.
"Shubman Gill has a neck spasm and is being monitored by the BCCI medical team. A decision on his participation today will be taken as per his progress," read a statement from the BCCI.
The incident occurred in an eventful 35th over after the drinks break, where Harmer had moments earlier removed a well-set Washington Sundar for 29 off 82 balls with a classical off-spinner's dismissal -- the ball drifting and turning away to take the outside edge for Aiden Markram at slip.
Gill's premature exit meant India lost three batters -- two wickets (Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington) and a retired hurt -- in quick time, altering the complexion of the session.
The scoreboard read 79 for 2 after 35 overs but the hosts could have been effectively three down in reply to the visitors' 159 all out.
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