India will be without Test captain Shubman Gill for the second match against South Africa in Guwahati, starting Saturday, November 22. Rishabh Pant has been appointed stand-in captain, while young left-hander Sai Sudharsan is expected to slot into the playing XI, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Gill sustained a neck injury while batting during the first innings of the Kolkata Test. He did not take the field during South Africa’s second innings and was unavailable for India’s chase of 124. The opener was taken to a hospital in Kolkata for evaluation and was discharged the following day. The BCCI confirmed that Gill will travel with the squad and continue to be monitored in Guwahati.
India face must-win test as Sai Sudharsan likely to step in place of Shubman Gill
“Team India captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test against South Africa and was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day’s play. He was kept under observation and discharged the next day. Shubman has been responding well to the medical treatment provided and will travel to Guwahati with the team on 19th November, 2025,” the BCCI release stated.
Trailing 0–1 after a 30-run defeat in the series opener, India enters the Guwahati Test in a must-win situation. Ahead of the match, the squad held an optional training session at Eden Gardens, where players such as Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Devdutt Padikkal trained in preparation for potential changes in the lineup.
Adding a historic twist, the Guwahati Test will be the first in cricket history to feature a tea break before lunch on all five days. Play will begin at 9 a.m. daily, a notable adjustment from the traditional format.
With their regular captain sidelined, India will look to regroup quickly and produce a strong comeback. All eyes will be on Pant’s leadership and Sudharsan’s impact as the hosts aim to level the series on home soil.
