Team India skipper Shubman Gill’s injury/neck spasm doesn’t look good at the moment. While batting in the Kolkata Test, in the first innings, within a span of just three deliveries, he was retired out was admitted to the hospital. He did not return in the second innings, as India failed to chase down 124 vs South Africa, and now there is no clarity if he could be available for the second Test in Guwahati.
If one was to draw any conclusion of the situation, from what has emerged out from a small video clip, his neck is not in a great condition, was wearing a brace, and couldn’t walk properly, at least for now. So, which batter takes his place, if Shubman Gill does not get fit in time for the 22 November Test?
Sai Sudharsan Vs Devdutt Padikkal
The two quick fixes are — Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. Team India and the selection committee might have erred in picking so many left-handers, but nothing can be done about that. So, who is the better option out of the two? Out of them, Padikkal has a slightly better FC average of 41 in 49 encounters, scoring 3199 runs.
Sudharsan, meanwhile has 2562 runs in 38 matches, at an average of 39. But he has played more Tests than his Karnataka counter-part — of 5 Tests. So, no real difference here. But what would really matter is, how they have fared/ or can fare against right arm spinner Simon Harmer, who picked up eight wickets at Eden Gardens.
In five innings against the right arm spinners, Sudharsan has scored 46 runs from 77 deliveries, while getting out twice — an average of 23. While Padikkal has played two innings, where has gotten out once, scoring 26 runs. So, in short, there is no clear basis of selection of the either of two.
Having said that, the trust the team management has shown on Sai Sudharsan, in England, and then in the West Indies series, he could be the one getting the nod.
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