India’s skipper Shubman Gill, who missed the second Test due to a neck injury, struck a determined and unified tone after the team’s 0-2 Test series defeat to South Africa. Gill assured fans that the side would “rise stronger” from the setback, which marked South Africa’s first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years.
The two-match series ended in disappointment for India after the visitors clinched a massive 408-run victory in the second Test in Guwahati, following a 30-run win in the opening Test in Kolkata. The back-to-back defeats sparked widespread criticism regarding the team’s performance and leadership, with home crowds even booing head coach Gautam Gambhir.
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. 🇮🇳
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) November 26, 2025
Posting on X on Wednesday, Gill wrote:
“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’s Injury and Absence
Gill had suffered a neck spasm during India’s first innings in the Eden Gardens Test, forcing him to retire hurt on four. He was then hospitalized and ruled out of the remainder of the match. Although he traveled with the team to Guwahati, he was released on the eve of the Test due to his condition.
Gautam Gambhir Reacts: Hints at Frustration with Rishabh Pant
Following the 408-run loss, coach Gautam Gambhir refused to blame any individual player for the collapse but dropped subtle hints of displeasure towards stand-in captain Rishabh Pant, whose shot selection has come under scrutiny.
India were well-placed at 95 for 1, but a sudden batting collapse left them struggling at 122 for 7, largely due to Marco Jansen’s outstanding spell with the red ball. Pant’s decision to charge down the wicket at Jansen — at a moment when caution was crucial — is being widely criticized as one of the poorest dismissals of the innings.
When asked if he expected better from Pant, who is just one match short of 50 Tests, Gambhir responded firmly:
“You don’t blame one individual shot. You don’t blame one individual playing in a certain way. You blame everyone. So, me talking about an individual, I’ve never done that. I am not going to do it.”
Gambhir also stressed that he would not “brush things under the carpet,” signalling that serious introspection lies ahead for the team.