As India struggles to recover from the crushing loss in Kolkata, another cloud of uncertainty looms over the national squad. Shubman Gill, who had been admitted to the hospital due to a neck injury, has now been discharged, but his participation in the next Test match remains highly doubtful.
During the first Test against South Africa, India faced a significant challenge due to the absence of Gill, who was forced to retire hurt after facing just three balls in the second innings. The Indian team was left short of one batter during the chase, which ultimately led to their collapse in the fourth innings. The big question now is—will India face a similar predicament in Guwahati?
After suffering the injury, Gill was admitted to the hospital and underwent treatment. Although he has now been discharged, the neck strain is not something that will heal quickly. Doctors have advised against air travel for the time being, making it highly unlikely that he will be on the flight to Guwahati with the team on Wednesday.
It has already been confirmed that Gill will not be attending India’s training session in Kolkata on Tuesday. India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, mentioned during the post-match press conference that Gill’s condition is still being assessed. “The physio and medical team will conduct another round of tests,” he said, providing no definitive timeline for the player’s return.
Without Gill, India’s top-order batting may once again be under pressure. In the first Test, India’s chase of a modest 124 in Kolkata collapsed for just 93 runs. The team’s failure to establish solid partnerships, particularly after the early fall of two wickets, left them vulnerable. Gambhir, speaking about the team’s performance, said, “Had we managed a 50 or even a couple of 40-run partnerships, the match would have been in our hands.”
With Gill’s absence, India may have to make changes to the opening combination. Two potential replacements are being considered—B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. However, both players come with their own set of concerns. Sudharsan showed promise against the West Indies in Tests but struggled in the four innings against South Africa ‘A,’ with a highest score of just 32. Padikkal, on the other hand, has been in poor form, failing to score more than single digits in all three of his recent innings.
If India opts for an opening change in Guwahati, the presence of seven left-handed batsmen in the line-up could raise further questions. In Kolkata, South Africa’s Simon Harmer claimed six wickets against left-handed batsmen, and off-spinner Aiden Markram also picked up a crucial wicket. The left-handed-heavy top order could prove a tactical challenge for India.
Moreover, Gill’s injury has raised additional concerns for the Indian camp. He had missed a Test match against New Zealand last year due to a similar issue, and with the hectic schedule, including the IPL, managing his workload has become a major concern for the BCCI. The team must now decide whether it can regroup and bounce back without the experience and stability that Shubman Gill brings to the top order.
As the team heads to Guwahati, India’s biggest question remains—can they recover from their defeat and secure a win without the reliable presence of Shubman Gill?