Who Should Replace Shubman Gill In 2nd IND Vs SA Test? Ex-Captain Answers | Cricket News

Shubman Gill suffered neck injury on Day 2 of 1st IND-SA Test. (Picture Credit: AP)

Former India captain Anil Kumble wants Sai Sudharsan to be brought back into the playing 11 to replace Shubman Gill if the captain isn’t fit to participate in the second Test against South Africa, which begins on November 22. Kumble said that despite the heavy loss in the first match, the hosts shouldn’t tinker with their combination other than that, except for the unlikely scenario that Guwahati welcomes them wth a green pitch.

Gill was suspected of having an innocuous neck sprain picked up after a bad sleep when he was retired-hurt on the second day at the Eden Gardens. However, it proved to be a bit more serious than that, and the skipper had to be admitted to the hospital. He’s now said to have been discharged, but whether he’ll participate in the next game remains unclear, with both the BCCI and those close to the batter waiting on a final clearance.

“India will certainly be hoping that Shubman Gill is fit for the next Test,” Kumble told Star Sports. “If he isn’t, Sai Sudharsan will likely come back in. If India continues with six bowlers – two pacers and four spinners – then the rest of the team should remain the same. That might be the only change,” he added.

Kumble also mulled getting Devdutt Padikkal in but explained why that wouldn’t work.

“If India chooses not to go with that combination, the other batting option is Devdutt Padikkal. However, bringing him in would make the entire top order left-handed, which could invite someone like Simon Harmer to come in and bowl all day,” Kumble said. “… I don’t think India will play three seamers unless the pitch is a green top. We don’t know that yet. But overall, India should stick with a similar lineup — with the only possible change being Gill, if he’s fit. If he isn’t, Sai Sudharsan comes in,” he added.

Sudharsan made his Test debut in England in the summer and played at number three. However, the team dropped him from the 11 for this series, bringing in left-handed all-rounder Washington Sundar for the position.