Team India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said that the think tank will need to find out how captain Shubman Gill ended up with a stiff neck, which forced him to retire hurt. He also dismissed concerns of fitness, terming the incident as something unfortunate as well. However, earlier in the day, Indian captain Gill retired hurt for four after facing just three balls. He did not come out to bat later in the innings as well, and at a press conference following the conclusion of Day in Kolkata, Morkel gave an update on Gill’s fitness.

He commented: “I think we first need to determine how he got neck stiffness, maybe just a bad night’s sleep. I don’t think we can put it down to the load. Shubman is a very fit guy, he looks after himself very well, so it’s just unfortunate this morning that he woke up with a stiff neck and that carried him into the day, which was crucial for us. Another sort of partnership with him batting around was going to be needed for us at the time and, you know, just bad timing.”

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At the press conference, Morkel also backed India’s decision to send allrounder Washington Sundar into bat at No. 3.

“I think he did really well. Washington has been brilliant for us with the bat every time he got the opportunity, and what a nice sort of opportunity for him in this game to go at three and use him while he is in good form at the moment and hitting the ball well. I also think it allows us certain options lower down in the order. I thought it was a brave call to make but, you know, also a quality player that’s playing good cricket at the moment, so why not give him that opportunity?” he concluded.