Shubman Gill Hit by Ben Stokes Bouncer, Play Briefly Halted in India-England Test

Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, experienced a worrying moment during the fifth day of the fourth Test against England. A sharp bouncer from Ben Stokes struck Gill's helmet, causing a brief halt to play at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday.

Shubman Gill recoils after being hit by a bouncer from Ben Stokes.

The incident occurred during the 73rd over of India's second innings. With India looking to build a strong response after losing early wickets, the tension was palpable.

Stokes delivered a short ball that reared up unexpectedly off the uneven pitch. The ball struck Gill's glove before impacting the side of his helmet.

The ball deflected off Gill's index finger and onto the helmet grille. For a moment, it appeared the ball might ricochet onto the stumps. Gill, visibly in pain, reacted quickly to prevent the deflection.

Immediately following the blow, Gill stepped away from the crease, tossing his bat aside in discomfort. The Indian team physio rushed onto the field to conduct concussion and hand assessments. Stokes also showed immediate concern, checking on the Indian captain.

Fortunately, after receiving treatment, Gill was able to resume batting. He continued to solidify India's innings alongside Washington Sundar.

At the time of the incident, Gill had reached 90, building on a resilient partnership after KL Rahul’s earlier dismissal, also for 90. The pair had forged a vital 174-run partnership on Day 4, keeping India competitive in the match.

Despite losing Jaiswal and Sudharsan early in the innings, India mounted a comeback. The team stood at 193/3, trailing by 118 runs, leaving the match delicately balanced.

England's substantial first-innings total of 669, bolstered by Stokes’s impressive 141, had initially placed India under pressure. However, India's tenacity, particularly Gill’s determined innings, is ensuring a captivating contest.