Shubman Gill ruled out; Axar dropped, Reddy back: India's probable XI for 2nd Test vs SA

India's probable XI [Source: AFP Photo]

After losing the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, the caravan shifts towards the Guwahati Test as India aim to bounce back and level the series. The second game begins on Saturday and India have little time to get their execution and strategy right as every win matters in the WTC cycle.

The home side has plenty of problems heading into the Guwahati Test match. Captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck sprain during the 1st Test match and he didn’t come out to bat in the second innings. Plus, India also have to deal with the Simon Harmer problem, and keeping everything in mind, here’s the probable XI for the second Test.

Sudharsan to replace injured Shubman Gill?

What is India’s biggest concern at the moment in Tests? It is the injury to their captain, Shubman Gill. The batter was admitted to the hospital in Kolkata, and the issue looked serious and his participation in the Guwahati Tests hangs in jeopardy.

Reportedly, he has travelled with the team, but the management is cautious and won’t rush him for the series decider. Reports state that Gill is ruled out, and in his place, the logical choice would be to include Sai Sudharsan. Moreover, Rishabh Pant is expected to lead the team in his absence.

His Test numbers don't look much promising, but Gambhir has backed him in recent games.

(Sudharsan in Tests)

• He has an average record in Test cricket, but the batter brings a sense of calmness and will slot in at number 3, with Washington Sundar, who batted at 3 in Kolkata, moving down to 4 as a cover for Gill.
• Sudharsan has a brilliant gameplay against spinners and he could be the one to tackle Harmer, who decimated India with his match-winning spell.

Will Gambhir drop Axar Patel for Nitish Reddy?

There is no denying that India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, loves having all-rounders in the playing XI, and he could make a tough call by dropping Axar Patel from the Guwahati Test in order to bring in one of his favourites, Nitish Kumar Reddy.

In the first Test, India had a plethora of left-handed batters, and this played perfectly for Harmer who made them dance to his tunes. Hence, to bring in a variety, the team could sacrifice a lefty (Axar), in order to bring in Nitish Reddy, who is a right-handed batter.

Axar's performances not promising as well

Gambhir and Gill hardly showed in his bowling in Kolkata, as on a spin-friendly deck, Axar only bowled 20 overs in the combined two innings, and was also failed with the bat. He scored only 52 runs, and his reckless shot in the second innings led to India’s loss.

Hence, to counter Harmer and to bring in a different variety, the management could bring in Nitish Reddy in the playing XI, in place of Axar.

The rest of the team to remain the same

There are rumours that Jasprit Bumrah might miss the ODI series against South Africa, hence, the logical plan should be to play Bumrah in the Guwahati Test. The rest of the lineup should remain the same as India won't tinker much apart from the two changes mentioned.

India's probable XI for 2nd Test vs South Africa

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (c, wk), Nitish Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

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