Uncertainty. That’s the best way to describe India’s current Test status. After the West Indies series, no one would have thought that we would have a new number three. Sai Sudharsan, who had made his highest Test score of 87 in the last Test, was dropped in Kolkata, with Washington Sundar replacing him.
Axar Patel, who hadn’t played a Test match since February 2024, was brought back to the side for Nitish Kumar Reddy. The team looked strong on paper, but the decisions made no sense. India ended up losing the match. Part of it was Shubman Gill’s injury, which left the hosts with one batter short in both innings. Had Gill batted in both innings, India might have won. Such were the margins.
How Shubman Gill’s injury will affect India’s batting lineup
The India captain’s injury might continue to breed uncertainty. At this moment, one can’t be sure about Gill’s availability. He’s travelled with the team to Guwahati, but his fitness remains under the scanner. If he isn’t ready to play at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in three days’ time, we might see wholesome changes in the batting order.
The openers won’t change, but Washington might be dropped down from number three after just one match. Yes, he was India’s best batter at Eden Gardens, but since Sai Sudharsan was part of India’s second-to-last Test, he should ideally come in and bat at number three, which has been his position since his Test debut.
Dhruv Jurel will surely bat at number four. He played there in the second innings in Kolkata since Gill couldn’t bat, but more than that, India would like to bring in a right-left combination after seeing what Simon Harmer does against left-handers.
If Washington continues at three, Ravindra Jadeja will lose his spot. That’s because Rishabh Pant will bat at five, and whoever replaces Gill will bat at six, whether it be Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal. If Washington doesn’t bat at three and Sudharsan does, we’ll have to see which of Washington or Jadeja bats at 6.
Whatever happens, it’ll be hotchpotch. Coming into Guwahati, India won’t just be down 0-1 in the series, but batters will be playing at new spots. Many of them haven’t even played much at home, and one can’t forget that it’s the first-ever Test at Guwahati. India isn’t doing anything but making winning difficult for themselves, through pitches, team selections and tactics.
India squad for IND vs SA 2nd Test
Shubman Gill (c) (subject to fitness), Rishabh Pant wc & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep
