The selectors and the team management have recalled young batting all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy amidst uncertainty over captain Shubman Gill’s participation in the second and last Test of the series against South Africa. Reddy was released from the squad before the series opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The 22-year-old represented India A against South Africa A in two unofficial ODI series before joining the Indian camp in Guwahati.
Reddy got the prized wicket of Delano Potgieter who scored 90 in the first game. Then, he contributed with a 26-ball 37 cameo in the run chase of 287. India A won the match by four wickets. Reddy did not get to bat or bowl in the second game as South Africa A were bowled out for 132 and India A won by nine wickets.
If Gill does not recover in time, Rishabh Pant will lead the team at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati in the second Test starting on November 22. It will be Pant’s Test captaincy debut.
BCCI not looking to rush Gill back into play
Earlier, on November 17, Sports Tak had learnt that a call will be taken on Gill's availability for the second Test in 24 hours. A top BCCI source said that they are not looking to rush Gill's return after the neck injury which led to his hospitalisation.
“A call on Shubham Gill will be taken in the next 24 hours. BCCI don't want to rush in Gill's case and with consultation of doctors, call on him will be taken,” a top BCCI source told Sports Tak.
“As of now it's tough to say that he will play second Test but let’s see how he progresses in the next medical scan. If required, he will be given proper time and rest.”
Rare problem of too many left-handers?
If Gill doesn’t play, there is a possibility that Reddy walks into the lineup, especially with too many left-handed batters in the side. If India make only once forced change in Gill’s absence, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal are likely to continue warming the benches. However, the team management may revisit their four spinners strategy.
India’s Test squad vs South Africa -
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Nitish Kumar Reddy.