The suspense over Shubman Gill’s availability for the second and final Guwahati Test against South Africa starting on November 22 has now become a major concern for India.
Even though Shubman Gill has traveled with the team to continue his treatment, the Indian captain is almost certain to miss the crucial Guwahati Test.
Gill is still recovering from the neck injury he suffered during the first Test in Kolkata. The BCCI medical team will be with him throughout his trip to Guwahati, but he needs to make a dramatic recovery to have a chance to play in the crucial match for India.
Shubman Gill is doubtful to play in Guwahati Test as Sai Sudarshan looks set to regain the No. 3 spot
According to the report by RevSportz, Shubman Gill is expected to start neck exercises soon, but experts believe that he needs at least five to seven days to be considered fit. There are only a few days left before the final Test and he is almost certain to be out of the game.
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With Shubman Gill unlikely to take the field, India will now have to rebuild their batting line-up for this must-win Test. The biggest challenge is to fill the number 4 spot and the most practical option for the team is Sai Sudarshan. It has been told in the report that Sai is making a comeback in the playing eleven.
He missed the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata as India went with a different combination and Washington Sundar was batting at No. 3. Now, Tsai is expected to play at his regular No. 3 position, pushing Washington down the batting order.
India is at number four with Dhruv Jurel but is looking towards Nitish Kumar Reddy for stability and balance.
Dhruv Jurel will retain the No. 4 position, where he batted in the second innings during the Kolkata Test when Shubman Gill was ruled out. However, solving the issue of number 4 does not solve India’s biggest problem, and that is the heavy presence of left-handed players.
In Kolkata, India’s batting lineup featured six left-handers and South African off-spinner Simon Harmer made fun of them, taking eight wickets in the match. Harmer dismissed all the left-handers at Eden Gardens, causing serious problems for India on a turning pitch.
This is the reason why Nitish Kumar Reddy was recalled. His right-handed batting and seam-bowling skills give India the balance they desperately need.
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Conditions in Guwahati will decide who will make way for Nitish Kumar Reddy
Whether Nitish Kumar Reddy replaces Axar Patel, who plays as the additional spin-bowling all-rounder in Kolkata, will depend on how the conditions look in Guwahati.
Conditions are expected to play a big role in the final Test. Guwahati is known for its early sunrise and early sunset, so the match will start at 9 am every day. Tea will be served after the first session, while lunch will be served after the second session.
The weather in mid-November also brings a slight chill, which means the ball may swing a little more in the morning at the Barsapara Stadium. The match will be played on red clay pitches, which is different from the black clay surface India practiced at the Eden Gardens.
