Ruturaj Gaikwad chosen to replace ‘captain’ Shubman Gill for Guwahati Test vs South Africa

India’s batting worries have grown bigger after the embarrassing 30-run defeat in the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. To make things worse, Indian captain Shubman Gill suffered a neck spasm while attempting a sweep shot and had to walk off the field after just three balls.

He soon collapsed in pain at the Eden Gardens and was taken to the hospital for further scans. However, the Indian captain has now been discharged, but there is still no clear update on whether he will play the final Test in Guwahati. His participation remains doubtful.

India forced to rethink strategy after Kolkata Test collapse

This situation has pushed India into a tricky situation. Interestingly, the Indian team went into the Kolkata Test with six left-handers in the batting line-up, and South Africa’s off-spinner Simon Harmer took full advantage of this weakness. Harmer dominated the match with eight wickets, exposing India’s one-sided batting combination.

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And now the two backup batters in the squad—Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal—are both left-handers as well. If Gill doesn’t play, India could end up fielding seven left-handers, which would only make things easier for South African spinners in Guwahati.

However, the former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the hosts should consider bringing Ruturaj Gaikwad into the team, even though he is not part of the current squad.

Aakash Chopra calls for Ruturaj Gaikwad’s surprise Test entry

Chopra feels that if Gill is unavailable, India must bring in a right-handed batter to balance the lineup, and Ruturaj Gaikwad fits that role perfectly since he is in excellent form with the bat.

Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel, “Should Ruturaj Gaikwad be selected in the Test team? You might be wondering how he can be selected, as the team is already selected, and no one has gone out. There is still no clarity on Shubman Gill’s participation. He has been discharged from the hospital, but there is still a question mark over his participation.”

He added, “Just in case he doesn’t become available, you will have to play someone. You have Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal sitting outside—two more left-handers. You have six left-handers in the XI at the moment. Do you want to go with seven left-handers? You want to change that, maybe.”

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Aakash Chopra highlights Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form

Chopra also pointed out Ruturaj Gaikwad's experience in the middle order, which India might need right now. He is seen as a technically compact player who handles pressure well. And interestingly, Guwahati is the same ground where Gaikwad smashed a T20I century against Australia.

The cricket pandit signed off by saying, “He is in excellent form. He is scoring runs for India A in white-ball cricket. Don’t know why he is not played in the days’ format when the India A team plays, but wherever he is playing, whether it’s the Ranji Trophy or the Duleep Trophy, he has been scoring the runs.”