The pressure is on! Just days before the must-win second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, the Indian team management has been handed a massive blow. Captain Shubman Gill has been officially ruled out due to a lack of match fitness, throwing India’s playing XI into complete disarray .
Despite travelling with the squad and showing promising signs of recovery from his neck injury, the BCCI medical team has given a firm “no” to risking him in a high-stakes game . This leaves a gaping hole at the top of the order and a leadership vacuum that the team must urgently address.
Table of Contents
- Gill Out: The Captaincy and Opening Crisis
- Who Will Open the Innings?
- Axar Patel on the Bench? The Spin Dilemma
- New Contenders: Sudharsan and NKR Ignored
- Projected Playing XI for Guwahati
- Conclusion: A Test of Depth and Nerve
- Sources
Gill Out: The Captaincy and Opening Crisis
Gill’s absence is a double-edged sword for India. Not only was he the team’s designated captain for this series, but he was also their most reliable opening batter in home conditions over the past year . His elegant strokeplay and ability to see off the new ball were central to India’s batting strategy.
His unavailability forces the selectors to solve two major puzzles at once: who will lead the team, and who will face the first over? As discussed in our previous analysis, [INTERNAL_LINK:ponting-on-india-pitch-pant-captaincy-backing], Ricky Ponting has been a vocal advocate for Rishabh Pant to take over the leadership reins, citing his IPL experience and natural aggression.
Who Will Open the Innings?
With Gill out, the most likely candidate to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top is Shreyas Iyer. While Iyer has primarily batted at No. 4, he has opened in domestic cricket and possesses the solid technique and mental fortitude required for the role .
However, this move would create a void in the middle order. Another option is to promote the in-form Rohit Sharma, but at 37, asking him to open on a potentially tricky Guwahati pitch might be a significant risk .
Axar Patel on the Bench? The Spin Dilemma
Interestingly, with the pitch in Guwahati expected to be a bit more balanced than the minefield in Kolkata, the team might opt for a different spin combination. Reports strongly suggest that Axar Patel is likely to sit out the match .
This paves the way for an all-rounder like Ravindra Jadeja to lock in his place alongside specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The logic is simple: Jadeja offers superior batting depth and fielding, which becomes crucial when the top order is already under strain. For more on this strategic shift, see our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:best-indian-test-allrounders].
New Contenders: Sudharsan and NKR Ignored
Despite being part of the squad and generating significant buzz for their performances in domestic cricket and the IPL, both Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy (NKR) appear to be out of serious contention for the playing XI .
Sudharsan, known for his classical technique and calm demeanour, was seen as a potential middle-order option. NKR, on the other hand, was touted as a genuine all-rounder who could provide the team with much-needed balance. Their continued omission suggests the selectors are favouring experience over youth in this high-pressure scenario.
Projected Playing XI for Guwahati
Based on the latest reports and team dynamics, here’s a likely India’s playing XI for the second Test:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shreyas Iyer (opening in place of Gill)
- Rohit Sharma
- Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
- Rishabh Pant (Captain)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Mukesh Kumar
- Harshit Rana / Akash Deep
Conclusion: A Test of Depth and Nerve
The Guwahati Test is no longer just about winning a match; it’s a test of India’s bench strength and the selectors’ nerve. Without their captain and with a reshuffled top order, the team must show resilience and adaptability. The decisions made for India’s playing XI will not only determine the outcome of this series but also signal the direction of the team’s future in Test cricket.