India’s preparations for the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati began under uncertainty. Captain Shubman Gill’s fitness remains a major concern. He skipped Tuesday’s training session, which raised fresh doubts about his availability for the match starting on November 22. Gill injured his neck during the first Test in Kolkata and took no part in the second innings. Rishabh Pant handled the captaincy in his absence.
Team sources informed NDTV that Gill is unlikely to travel with the squad. This situation places Pant back in the leadership role as India look to level the series. India trail 0-1 after losing the opener by 30 runs, which adds to the pressure on the young wicketkeeper-batter.
The squad continued its practice session with strong intent. Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar, and Sai Sudharsan trained under close supervision. Their presence shows the team’s push to build depth and stay prepared.
If Gill misses the game, India must find a new No. 4 batter. Sai Sudharsan appears to be the top choice to replace him. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was released before the first Test, may also rejoin the squad. The team now depends on Pant’s tactical clarity and aggressive batting to keep the series alive.
