Who Replaces Gill in Guwahati Test? The biggest selection query of India when they are about to play the second Test against South Africa. Although the BCCI has given Shubman Gill the green light to be in the squad, there is all indication therefore that he will not feature in Guwahati after developing neck spasms in Kolkata. It leaves India with a tricky choice and three in squad candidates, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Kumar Reddy, but none of them is an ideal candidate to replace the position.

India cannot ignore what seemed to be the simplest option that is to recall Sai Sudharsan who was already a part of that XI in Kolkata but had been replaced with another spin-bowling allrounder. No. 3 was occupied by Washington Sundar who had a higher number of deliveries than any other batter. Logically and structurally, Sudharsan is the anticipated immediate successor of Gill. But there is one thing, he is left handed just like Padikkal.

But, Kolkata revealed the strategic weakness of the batting order of India. Simon Harmer destroyed the left-handers of India taking away eight wickets of which 6 were of lefties. India had six left-handed batters in the XI and this weakness can be seen clearly. Substituting Gill with another left hander may again give in to South African tactics, particularly on a pitch that will favour spin. However, this is the same difficulty; India lack a specialist batter who plays right hand.

This leads Reddy into the dialogue. He is a right and at present is more of a project than a fined Test batter. The West Indies series was used to introduce him to the longest format, with very little playing in the series four overs bowling and once batting. More to the point, he is ranked at No. 8, an extremely incompatible with Gill, according to the structure liked by the team. Kolkata, India chose to go with Dhruv Jurel, due to the depth of his specialist batting rather than a developmental all purpose player.

That background explains why Reddy was not likely to be selected at No. 3 or No. 4.

Lastly, there are two possible but unorthodox ways of India. One is writing a right-hander who is not a member of the squad. Ayush Mhatre, Rajat Patidar and Ayush Badoni were the players who were doing impressively at the unofficial Tests. Gaikwad is one who has distinguished him or herself, hitting 117 and 68 on the 50-over half of the same tour. But only the new Test player, Patidar, has a passing concern over fitness and has not been playing in the currently taking Ranji round. Gaikwad, however, is adequately endowed with the technique and temper to the part and it would be indicating the acute and hasty change of policy to make him available in the middle of series.

The other left-field but interesting alternative would be Sarfaraz Khan. He has yet to play in recent A teams, but his youthful record in Test matches, one century, three fifties, average of over 37, was good. Such a violent, sweeping type of game could offset the spinners of South Africa. But yet selectors seem to have forgotten him, at least, at present. On the same notes, the amazing Ranji form of 174 and 233 by Karun Nair is enough to put him back on the cards on merit. But remembering him so soon after his dumping in England would bring up the problem of uniformity in choice.

To sum up, the Gill replacement Guwahati Test problem is not about talent, rather, it is a matter of balance. Ideally, India would desire a right hand batter yet they do not have one in the team. Sudharsan is the best bet even with the left-hand problem merely because he is structurally suited to the job and has earned his position. However, in an event where conditions appear spin-heavy once again India can be tempted to roll dice with a call-up. The ultimate decision will show the relative value of stability versus tactical flexibility by the team an eye opener in itself.

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