The Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati is all set to make history by hosting its first-ever international Test match, an occasion that will feature a format-first: the serving of Tea before Lunch. However, the excitement is tempered by the high probability that India’s captain, Shubman Gill, will miss the crucial do-or-die second Test against South Africa as he races against time to regain fitness.
Gill Ruled Out of Guwahati Travel
Gill’s injury occurred during India’s disastrous first innings in the Kolkata Test last Saturday. He retired hurt after facing just three balls and was rushed to the hospital with acute pain.
- The BCCI confirmed he took no further part in the match, which India lost after being bowled out for just 93 in a chase of 124.
- Gill was discharged on Sunday evening, but a report from PTI indicated he has been advised to take rest for the next few days and will not travel to Guwahati for the second game.
- A source from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) revealed, “He has acute neck pain, and… has to continue wearing the neck collar.” He has been advised to take three to four days of rest and avoid taking a flight, with his progress being monitored daily.
If Gill is officially ruled out of the finale, where South Africa aims for only their second Test series win on Indian soil, it will be the second time the young captain has been sidelined by a neck spasm, having previously missed a Test against New Zealand in October last year for the same reason.
The Selection Headache at No. 4
Gill’s absence creates a significant selection headache for the team management, especially given the tactical challenge posed by South Africa’s bowlers.
If Gill is unavailable, India has a choice between two existing left-handed batters in the squad for the number four slot: B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal.
- B Sai Sudharsan: Though once backed as a long-term No. 3, Sudharsan has been dropped twice since his debut earlier in the tour. While he scored 87 in the Delhi Test last month, his recent scores in the tune-up India A series against South Africa A were modest: 32, 12, 17, and 23.
- Devdutt Padikkal: Padikkal, whose last Test appearance was against England in March 2024, also had modest figures in the India A series (6, 5, 5, and 24). However, he recently scored 96 in the Ranji Trophy and a big knock of 150 for India A against Australia A.
The South African Spin Problem
The major drawback of picking either Sudharsan or Padikkal is the resulting imbalance in the batting lineup. Their inclusion would leave India with seven left-handed batters in the playing XI, one more than the number fielded in Kolkata.
This imbalance would directly benefit the opposition, as South African off-spinner Simon Harmer “feasted” on India’s left-handers in the first Test, taking six of his eight wickets against this batting style.
Alternative Tactical Solutions
To avoid exposing the lineup to Harmer and part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram, India could consider more creative solutions:
- Internal Switch: Utilize the right-handed wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel at the No. 4 spot—a move briefly tried in the final innings in Kolkata. This would allow the inclusion of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy lower down the order to retain balance.
- Drafting a Replacement: The management might look outside the current squad for a right-handed option.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad is a favourable choice, given his recent domestic form, which includes two centuries and two fifties in his last eight first-class matches since September.
- Veterans like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sarfaraz Khan have been inconsistent, while Rajat Patidar is out with an injury. The management could even consider a shock recall for Karun Nair, who has been scoring heavily in first-class cricket since being dropped years ago.
The coming days will be critical as India prepares for a must-win Test without its regular skipper and must find the best combination to fight back in the series.