India men’s Test captain Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck spasm during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, remains uncertain for the second Test in Guwahati.As TimesofIndia.com reported, Gill may still travel with the squad to Guwahati, but his availability for the match is not confirmed.Former India spinner Anil Kumble said that if Gill is not fit in time for the second Test of the two-match series, then Sai Sudharsan could return to the XI.
Kumble told Star Sports: “India will certainly be hoping that Shubman Gill is fit for the next Test. If he isn’t, Sai Sudharsan will likely come back in. If India continues with six bowlers – two pacers and four spinners – then the rest of the team should remain the same. That might be the only change.”Devdutt Padikkal scored 150 in an unofficial Test against Australia A recently, which puts him in contention for a batting spot. But Kumble pointed out: “If India chooses not to go with that combination, the other batting option is Devdutt Padikkal. However, bringing him in would make the entire top order left-handed, which could invite someone like Simon Harmer to come in and bowl all day.”India picked two fast bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj — in the Kolkata Test. Kumble said the same structure could continue in Guwahati.“I don’t think India will play three seamers unless the pitch is a green top. We don’t know that yet. But overall, India should stick with a similar lineup — with the only possible change being Gill, if he’s fit. If he isn’t, Sai Sudharsan comes in.”Sudharsan scored 87 and 39 against the West Indies in Delhi but managed a highest of 32 in four innings for India A against South Africa A earlier this month.Padikkal has played one Test each in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the home series against England. He scored three single-digit innings and a 24 against South Africa A.If India make only this one change – replacing Gill with Sudarshan or Padikkal – they could field seven left-handed batters. In Kolkata, India had six left-handers in the XI for the first time. South Africa offspinner Simon Harmer dismissed six left-handers in the match, and part-timer Aiden Markram dismissed one.After the Kolkata defeat, India dropped to fourth in the World Test Championship 2025–27 points table. They now aim to level the series against South Africa and avoid a series defeat in Guwahati.
