Shubman Gill’s workload and rapidly expanding leadership responsibilities have sparked fresh concern after India’s loss to South Africa in Kolkata. The young opener, who has barely had any break since September, is now at the center of a growing debate on whether the BCCI should rethink its long-term captaincy plans involving him.
Gill has been on a relentless schedule—following the Asia Cup in Dubai, he returned home for the two-Test series against West Indies, then immediately joined the Australia tour for three ODIs and five T20Is. While several senior players were rotated during this period, Gill remained a permanent fixture across formats. Upon returning to India for the opening Test against South Africa, fatigue finally took its toll.
On Day 2 at Eden Gardens, the 25-year-old suffered sudden neck spasms and was rushed to the hospital. He played no further part in the match. Without their designated Test captain, India collapsed to 93 while chasing 124, handing South Africa a 30-run victory—their first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years.
Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, former India batter Abhinav Mukund urged the BCCI to reassess its intention to hand Gill the leadership across all formats. According to Mukund, the mounting pressure on the youngster may already be reaching dangerous levels.
“I think Shubman has the qualities to lead India in all formats, but I don’t think the team needs an all-format captain anymore,” said Mukund, who played seven Tests for India.
He suggested that split captaincy is the smarter way forward: “Gill has already been entrusted with the Test captaincy, and that alone brings enormous pressure.”
Just last month, Gill was appointed India’s new ODI captain with an eye on the 2027 World Cup— a move many interpreted as a signal that he could soon take over the T20I reins as well after the 2026 T20 World Cup. The batter had also been reinstated as vice-captain in T20Is ahead of the Asia Cup.
In the latest update, Gill was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, hours after India’s defeat in the series opener. However, the team management has not yet confirmed whether he will be fit to play the second Test, where South Africa will attempt to secure only their second Test series victory in India.