India Struggles at 10-2 as Gill Hospitalized in 1st Test

URGENT UPDATE: India is facing a critical situation at 10-2 while chasing 124 runs for victory in the first Test against South Africa, as lunch approaches on Day Three. This dire predicament follows the hospitalization of skipper Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck spasm during batting on Day Two and was admitted for observation on Saturday evening.

With Gill ruled out for the remainder of the match, India effectively stands at 10-3, needing an additional 114 runs to secure a win. Washington Sundar (5 not out) and Dhruv Jurel (4 not out) will resume at the crease after a brief but tumultuous first session.

During this critical phase, South Africa’s Marco Jansen struck twice, dismissing both Indian openers in a swift seven-over spell. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a golden duck, caught behind, while Lokesh Rahul managed just one run before also being caught.

Earlier, South Africa was bowled out for 153 runs in their second innings, adding 60 runs to their overnight score of 93-7. Temba Bavuma anchored the innings with a resilient 55 not out off 136 balls, marking the only half-century in the match. His partnership with Corbin Bosch, which added 44 runs for the eighth wicket, proved crucial in setting a challenging target for India.

The first Test at Eden Gardens is the first since 2019, and South Africa is aiming to break a 15-year winless streak in Tests on Indian soil. The last time they secured a series victory in India was back in 2000-01.

As the match progresses, all eyes will be on India’s batting lineup to see if they can recover from this early setback. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Guwahati on November 22, 2023, making this match pivotal for both teams as they vie for crucial points in the series.

Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.