Indian skipper Shubman Gill, who sat out the second Test against South Africa due to a neck injury, has called for unity in the aftermath of a crushing 0–2 series defeat. The two-match Test series ended in a sweep for South Africa after India suffered a painful 408-run loss in the second game in Guwahati. In the first test, they had copped a narrow 30-run defeat in Kolkata. Gill sent a powerful message of unity and resilience, declaring that the team would “rise stronger” from the ashes.
"Calm seas don't teach you how to steer, it's the storm that forges steady hands. We'll continue to believe in each other, fight for each other, and move forward - rising stronger," Gill wrote in 'X' on Wednesday.
The 408-run loss, which was the biggest home defeat (by runs) in India’s Test history, earned a lot of criticism for Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir as well. The victory also handed South Africa their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years, a milestone that had eluded the Proteas for so long.
As for Gill, during the first Test in Kolkata, he had to retire hurt in the first innings after suffering a neck injury while playing a sweep shot. He was hospitalised and then ruled out of the remainder of that match. Though he travelled with the squad to Guwahati hopeful of playing, he was deemed unfit ahead of the second Test.