India are preparing for what is effectively a one-off Test before a long gap in their red-ball schedule, but the potential absence of captain Shubman Gill has created a major selection dilemma. Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the first Test at Eden Gardens, remains doubtful for the upcoming match. His unavailability would leave India without one of their most technically reliable batters and disrupt the balance of the middle order.

Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle has weighed in on the situation, insisting a right-handed batter should replace that Gill. However, the two frontrunners currently in contention Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are both left-handers, which creates another tactical concern for India.

Harsha Bhogle bats for Karun Nair as Shubman Gill’s replacement

Shubman Gill

Bhogle believes that picking either Padikkal or Sudharsan could leave India with as many as seven left-handers in their top nine, a risky composition in modern Test cricket, where bowling match-ups and angles are exploited with precision. He argued that India need more balance in the lineup to avoid giving the opposition an advantage.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bhogle listed several right-handed candidates he would consider for the crucial middle-order slot. At the top of his list was Karun Nair, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Rajat Patidar (subject to fitness). Bhogle emphasised that for a single Test match, India should select a batter in peak form rather than planning for the long term.

Karun Nair’s name immediately stands out given his recent domestic performances. Although his Test career has been inconsistent, he remains best known for his 2016 triple century against England. Opportunities have been limited since then, but his current form makes him a strong contender, at least in Bhogle’s eyes.

Since India are not scheduled to play another Test until July or August, Bhogle believes this is the ideal moment for a “horses for courses” selection that focuses on immediate impact instead of continuity. Despite his compelling argument, Nair’s selection remains unlikely based on recent team management trends.