Gautam Gambhir gives mixed signals to Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal before 2nd Test

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted with young batters Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal ahead of the second and final Test against South Africa in Guwahati. Skipper Shubman Gill remains uncertain for the upcoming match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, starting on November 22.

Gill suffered a neck spasm in the first Test while playing a sweep shot. After the physio assessed him, he left the field and did not return. He was taken to a hospital later that evening for detailed tests. His injury became a major setback for India, who went on to lose the Eden Gardens Test by 30 runs.

According to reports, Shubman Gill might still travel with the team to Guwahati, but his participation in the match remains uncertain. India have a closed training session at Eden Gardens before the squad departs, and Gill’s progress over the next couple of days will be closely monitored.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

He is unlikely to play the second Test. He needs at least one proper training session before Friday, but the medical team may advise him to rest, given his recent neck trouble. Gill could be replaced by Rishabh Pant as skipper for the must-win game.

The Gautam Gambhir-led team management will have to pick a specialist batter for the No. 4 position in the absence of Gill. Notably, the team played with just nine batters in the second innings, where they failed to chase down the 124-run target.

Gautam Gambhir Seen Sharing Inputs with Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal

Gautam Gambhir was seen sharing inputs with Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal at the Eden Gardens. The interaction between Gautam Gambhir and the youngsters took place during an optional practice session, and Gambhir’s discussion with the two batters grabbed attention from the cricketing community.

Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir sharing his inputs with both Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal during the optional practice session at Eden Gardens. @debasissen #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/3K238X1t7i

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 18, 2025

Sudharsan and Padikkal have been preparing to be ready for the upcoming match. They are in contention to replace the Indian skipper for the must-win Test. Both have experience batting in the middle order for India in Tests.

Padikkal has played just one Test for India, making his debut against England in Dharamsala in 2024, where he scored 65 runs in the first innings. Sai has played five Tests and scored 273 runs at an average of 30.33, including two half-centuries.

Sai Sudharsan Will Likely Come Back In - Anil Kumble

Former India spinner Anil Kumble said that India will want Shubman Gill fit for the Guwahati Test. He noted that if India stick with the same six-bowler structure used in Kolkata, Sudharsan would be the only change to the XI.

"India will certainly be hoping that Shubman Gill is fit for the next Test. 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," Kumble told Star Sports.

Also read: Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan made irrelevant! Shubman Gill's replacement chosen