Shubman Gill (left), Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudarshan during the first day of the first unofficial Test cricket match between India A and South Africa A at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI photo) Indian 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 reported by TimesofIndia.com, Gill may still travel with the team 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 playing XI.
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Kumble told Star Sports: “India will certainly hope that Shubman Gill is fit for the next Test. If not, Sai Sudharsan is likely to return. If India continue with six bowlers – two pacers and four spinners – then the rest of the squad should remain the same. That could be the only change.”Devdutt Padikkal recently scored 150 in an unofficial Test against Australia A, which puts him in contention for a batting spot. But Kumble pointed out: “If India decide not to use that combination, the other batting option is Devdutt Padikkal. But bringing him in would make the entire top order left-handed, which might invite someone like Simon Harmer to come in and play all day.”India picked two fast bowlers in the Kolkata Test – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Kumble said the same structure could continue in Guwahati.“I don’t think India will play three seamers unless the pitch is green. We don’t know that yet. But overall India should stick with a similar line-up – the only possible change is Gill if he is fit. If not, Sai Sudharsan will come in.”Sudharsan scored 87 and 39 against West Indies in Delhi but hit a career-high 32 in four innings for India A against South Africa A earlier this month.Padikkal played one Test each in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the home series against England. He scored three single-figure innings and 24 against South Africa A.If India make just this one change – replacing Gill with Sudarshan or Padikkal – they could field seven left-handed batsmen. In Kolkata, India had six left-handers in the playing XI for the first time. South African offspinner Simon Harmer dismissed six left-armers in the match and shortstop Aiden Markram dismissed one.After the defeat in Kolkata, India dropped to fourth place in the World Test Championship 2025-27 table. They now aim to level the series against South Africa and avoid a series defeat in Guwahati.
