The National Cricket Team of India has suffered a big loss just before the second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati, which they need to win, as the captain Shubman Gill will not be able to play. Nevertheless, Shuman Gill’s injury has led to confusion about whether Axar Patel will be a part of the playing XI or not.
The skipper of the Indian team was hoping to get back his fitness during the trip with the team, but the medical staff at BCCI have concluded that he is still far from being fit. According to the Times of India, Gill was attempting to do a conservation test on himself with a long batting session in Guwahati.
Axar Patel’s position in the Indian team is in jeopardy due to Shubman Gill
However, the management team does not want to take that risk. The right-handed batter’s full recovery has now become the priority as the three-match ODI series against South Africa is scheduled for later this month. Gill might even be sent back from Guwahati to work on his recovery.
Now that Gill is not playing, the puzzle regarding India’s playing XI has become more interesting. Sai Sudharsan, who was omitted from the first Test against South Africa because India wanted an extra spinner at Eden Gardens, is suddenly back in contention for the final Test in Guwahati.
After India’s worrying defeat by 30 runs to South Africa in the first Test in Kolkata, the hosts are eager to make a strong comeback in Guwahati, but Gill’s recovery has forced the team management to reconsider their combination for the series-deciding match, which is to start on Saturday, November 22.
India is planning to recall Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the Test match in Guwahati.
According to a report from Times of India, the management of the team has made a choice to offer Sai Sudharsan one more opportunity, and it seems he is going to be in the third spot again. The young all-rounder is also being strongly considered alongside Sai for the Guwahati Test.
Reddy was already predicted to get a spot in the Indian Test squad and it was even before the announcement was made when Gill injured his neck in Kolkata. Now, it’s a very close call that both Sai and Reddy can walk straight into the India XI, and that would mean Axar Patel being left out of the playing combination.
The report suggested a last-minute change depending on the pitch conditions on the eve of the match, but the team management is inclined to have both Sai and Nitish in the playing XI for the final Test against South Africa in Guwahati.
India to keep hushing on the Playing XI as Barsapara Stadium is Test debut bound.
On the contrary, Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium is now equipped with proper facilities to host Test matches, and thus it will become India’s 28th Test venue as it makes its debut on Sunday. However, the pitch at Barsapara Cricket Stadium is still slightly green. But the ground team might take off the extra grass from the red-soil surface before the match, which might influence the game.
Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, chose not to divulge the Playing XI and also talked about the situation of changing the lineup just for the right-handers stating that it is not worth it. He said, there is no such thing as a gained wicket due to match-ups, and he even pointed at both teams having similar situations in the first Test at Eden Gardens.
