India’s Shubman Gill to miss Guwahati Test against South Africa after failing to recover from a neck injury suffered last week. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant will lead the team in his absence when the match starts this Saturday.
Medical experts have advised that playing too soon could trigger further neck spasms for Gill. This setback also raises questions about his participation in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, with the squad announcement expected on November 23.
Shubman Gill to Miss Guwahati Test After Kolkata Injury
Gill was forced to retire hurt on the second day of the Kolkata Test after facing only three balls, leading to hospitalization. The BCCI confirmed that he would take no further part in the match, which India lost by 30 runs after being bowled out for 93 chasing 124 on a pitch with uneven bounce. This situation ensures that Shubman Gill to miss Guwahati Test is a certainty.
With Shubman Gill to miss Guwahati Test, India need to consider several options to fill the top-order gap. Key contenders include B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
| Player | Role | Notes / Recent Form |
|---|---|---|
| B Sai Sudharsan | Top-order batter | Left-handed; took part in Guwahati nets session |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Top-order batter | Left-handed; practiced part-time offspin bowling |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Seam-bowling allrounder | Rejoined squad after India A series; bowled with Bumrah, Siraj, Akash Deep |
| Dhruv Jurel | Middle-order batter | Batted at No. 4 in Kolkata Test second innings |
| Washington Sundar | Allrounder | Participated in top-order batting nets session |
| KL Rahul | Top-order batter | Regular opener; took part in Guwahati practice session |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Top-order batter | Participated in top-order batting nets session |
Batting Line-Up Considerations
A major concern as Shubman Gill to miss Guwahati Test is the prevalence of left-handed batters in India’s lineup. In Kolkata, five of the top eight were left-handers, giving offspinner Simon Harmer an advantage. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak highlighted that the left-hander vs offspinner matchup is often overrated, as South Africa also fielded left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj in the first Test.
“Offspinner bowling to left-hander does not mean left-hander has to get out,” Kotak said. “We had two left-arm spinners, they had nine right-handers; did they get out? Maybe that thing is a little overrated.”
With Shubman Gill to miss Guwahati Test, India’s management is focusing on pitch conditions and team balance. The Guwahati track is expected to be more batting-friendly than Kolkata, which may reduce the need for a fourth spinner. If Sai Sudharsan comes in for Gill, Nitish Kumar Reddy could provide balance in both batting and bowling departments, while also contributing with the ball if required.
India’s team officials will monitor players’ readiness closely to ensure the squad remains competitive in Gill’s absence.
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