India, Dec. 9 -- Ahead of the first T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, India's vice-captain Shubman Gill spoke about his neck injury for the very first time since suffering the same during the Kolkata Test against the same opponent. Gill faced just three balls in the first innings of the series opener against the Proteas, and after playing a sweep shot off the bowling of Simon Harmer, the 26-year-old was pictured holding the back of his neck as he felt some gruesome pain. This led to the physios charging out, and the Test captain was eventually ruled out of the remainder of the game.

Gill was then ruled out of the next Test in Guwahati as well, and he also missed the three-match ODI series. The right-handed bat...