The Indian captain traveled with the team hoping to prove his fitness, but the BCCI medical team has decided that he is far from ready to take the field. As reported by the Times of India, Gill planned to test himself with a long batting session in Guwahati.
Axar Patel’s place in India XI is under threat from Shubman Gill
But the team management does not want to risk his injury getting worse. With the three-match ODI series against South Africa scheduled for later this month, the priority now is to ensure the right-handed batsman makes a full recovery. Gill may also be sent home from Guwahati to focus on his recovery.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Also read: “Virat Kohli was brutally insulted by Sam Konstas” – Friend reveals details of shoulder bump
With Gill out, India’s XI puzzle has become even more interesting. Sai Sudharsan, who was left out of the first Test against South Africa as India wanted an extra spinner at the Eden Gardens, is suddenly back in the mix for the final Test in Guwahati.
After India suffered an embarrassing 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test in Kolkata, the hosts are keen to make a strong comeback in Guwahati but Gill’s recovery has forced the team management to reconsider their combination for the deciding match, which starts on Saturday, November 22.
India would bring back Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the Guwahati Test
A Times of India report suggested that the team management has decided to give Sai Sudharsan another chance and he will most likely return to his number three position. Besides Sai, young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also strongly considered for the Guwahati Test.
Reddy was recalled to the Indian Test squad much before he was expected to join the squad after Gill injured his neck in Kolkata. Now there is a real chance that both Sai and Reddy will walk straight into the India XI, which would push Axar Patel out of the playing combination.
The report hinted that there could be a last-minute change depending on how the pitch looks on the eve of the match, but the team management seems keen to have both Sai and Nitish in the playing XI for the final Test against South Africa in Guwahati.
Also read: India coach exposes massive ‘anti-Gautam Gambhir agenda’ after Kolkata Test disaster
Barsapara Stadium ready for Test debut as India remains tight-lipped about Playing XI
On the other hand, Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium is all set to become India’s 28th Test venue, making its debut on Saturday. However, the pitch at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium still has a striking green hue. But the ground staff are expected to cut away the extra grass from the red ground before the match starts, which could change the way the game plays out.
Well, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak avoided revealing the Playing XI and dismissed the rumors of changing the lineup to right-handers only. He stressed that matchups do not guarantee wickets, pointing out that both teams faced similar situations in the first Test at Eden Gardens.
#Axar #Patel #dropped #India #plans #Guwahati #Test #Shubman #Gills #injury