India’s batting lineup is a bit shaky before the big second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. Shubman Gill’s neck injury is still bugging him, so he’s out. Rishabh Pant, the vice-captain, will be taking over as captain for this game.
1. The Injury Status: Why Gill is Missing Out
Shubman Gill’s absence stems from a recurring neck spasm issue.
- The Incident: Gill suffered a neck spasm during the second day of the first Test in Kolkata. He retired hurt in the first innings after facing just three balls and was subsequently hospitalized. He took no further part in that match, which India lost by 30 runs.
- Medical Update: Word is, Gill isn’t fully recovered. Doctors are saying it’s risky for him to play right now because that neck spasm could totally come back during a game. So, he’s been told to chill out and rest.
- Injury History: This isn’t the first time, either. Gill had to sit out the Test against New Zealand back in October because of the same kind of neck issue.
- What’s Next: This injury makes it unclear if he can even play in the following ODI series. They’re picking the team for those three games (starting November 30) on November 23, and this might make them find someone else.
2. Captaincy Change: Rishabh Pant Takes Charge
With Gill unavailable, the leadership duties fall to the designated Vice-Captain, Rishabh Pant. This will be a significant test for the wicketkeeper-batter as he looks to level the series after the disappointing defeat at Eden Gardens.
3. The Replacement Dilemma: Who Bats at No. 3?
India faces a selection headache to replace Gill. The management is reportedly choosing between three candidates:
- B Sai Sudharsan (Specialist Batter)
- Devdutt Padikkal (Specialist Batter)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (Seam-bowling All-rounder)
The “Left-Hander” Problem: A significant concern for India is the surfeit of left-handed batters. In Kolkata, India, they fielded five left-handers in their top eight. This played right into the hands of South African offspinner Simon Harmer, who was the Player of the Match.
- Both Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal are left-handers. Including either of them would maintain the heavy left-handed bias, potentially making Harmer dangerous again.
Coach’s Perspective: Despite the noise surrounding match-ups, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak downplayed the “offspinner vs. left-hander” threat during a press conference.
“I believe that you have to play well. Offspinner bowling to a left-hander does not mean the left-hander has to get out… We had two left-arm spinners; they had nine right-handers. Did they get out? So maybe that thing is a little overrated,” Kotak stated.
4. Clues from the Nets: Probable XI Strategy
Observations from India’s mandatory practice session in Guwahati offer hints about the team combination:
- The Top Order: The first four to bat in the nets were Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, and Dhruv Jurel. This suggests Jurel might retain a promotion in the batting order (he batted at No. 4 in the 2nd innings in Kolkata).
- Sai Sudharsan: He batted immediately after the core group, making him a strong contender for the open slot.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: The all-rounder has rejoined the squad after playing for India A. He was seen bowling alongside frontline pacers Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep.
- Strategic Shift: Given the Guwahati pitch is expected to have some grass and be better for batting than Kolkata, India might drop a spinner (likely Axar Patel, who bowled late in the nets) to include Reddy. This would add a fourth seam option and a right-handed batter to balance the lineup.
5. Match Conditions
The track in Guwahati should be better for batting than the one in Eden Gardens. But since there’s grass on the pitch, seam bowlers could get some help at the start. That might mean Nitish Kumar Reddy gets picked over a spinner.
In short, India is behind in the series heading into the Guwahati Test. They’re also without their captain and best batter. Rishabh Pant is filling in as captain. As for who will replace Gill, it’ll probably come down to whether they want another batter (Sudharsan) or an all-rounder (Reddy).