India captain Shubman Gill was almost ruled out of the Guwahati Test, and while that is a setback in itself, India’s real problem is a layer deeper. With Gill unavailable, the think tank is left to choose between Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan.
On paper, Sudharsan appears to be a trailblazer; after all, he has already worn the Test cap while Padikkal is still waiting to make his debut. But here’s the twist: the problem isn’t about experience. It’s about perspective, the left-handed one. India already have five left-handers in their projected XI and the addition of Padikkal or Sudharsan will take that number to six. And that’s where Simon Harmer, South Africa’s wily off-spinner, enters the conversation with a smile.
Harmer just scripted history in Calcuttareturning the best numbers of a South African spinner on Indian soil with his sensational eight-wicket haul. The prospect of six Indian left-handers is practically an open invitation for him to dominate again. Turning, grabbing and biting the ball makes Harmer even more of a threat.
However, India have a gap that can be exploited, one that lies outside their current squad. They can still look behind the chosen group and bring in reinforcements to restore balance. But who is it for?
Will he dare call up the right-hander to counter Harmer’s threat? Do they bring back experience or take a punt on fresh nerves? And most importantly, can they afford to wait, or is it time for them to act?
KARUN NAIR BACK?
Karun Nair couldn’t make the most of his chances during the England tour and the consequences came quickly. He was dropped for the West Indies series and left out again for the Tests against South Africa. But if his omission affected him, he channeled that injury in the most productive way possible to rewrite his story in the Ranji Trophy.
Nair is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the competition, a statistic that only hints at the authority with which he has batted. In just five matches, the seasoned batsman amassed 602 runs at a staggering average of 100.33, decorated with two centuries and two fifties.
His masterpiece came against Keralawhere he produced a sublime 233 at No. 4 at the KCA Cricket Ground in Mangalapuram, an innings that reminded everyone of the class he still commands.
There is little debate that Nair is operating at the peak of his powers. And if India are looking for an in-form, battle-hardened option to shore up their middle order, the question almost begs itself: how many batsmen on the domestic circuit are doing better than Karun Nair right now?
EASWARAN OR GAIKWAD?
Apart from Nair, India may also turn their attention to Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ruturaj Gaikwad as potential replacements for Gill. However, Easwaran comes with dents in his confidence. India A’s second unofficial Test against South Africa A did him no favours. His home form didn’t offer much comfort either, with just 182 runs from three Ranji Trophy matches.
Gaikwad, meanwhile, makes a much stronger case. He made 117 and an unbeaten 68 against South Africa A, albeit in the One-Day format, and brought the same fluency to the Ranji Trophy.
With 298 runs from three matches at a high average of 149, including a century, two fifties and a top score of 116, Gaikwad looked every bit in rhythm. If the choice is narrowed down to Easwaran or Gaikwad, the scales will definitely tip in Gaikwad’s favour.
But whoever steps in, Nair, Easwaran or Gaikwad, the challenge will be steep. Guwahati’s surface may not be as treacherous as the Eden Gardens minefield where the previous Test ended in less than three days, but it doesn’t offer any advantages either.
India will certainly feel Gill’s absence, but the script is yet to be written. They have the resources, depth and hunger to strike back.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 19, 2025
