Shubman Gill remains in doubt for Guwahati Test

Shubman Gill remains a big doubt for the Guwahati Test against South Africa, having missed India's second nets session in a row. He was absent from training on Tuesday in Eden Gardens and again skipped Thursday's session in Guwahati.

The India captain, who suffered a neck spasm in the first Test requiring hospitalization, traveled with the team to Guwahati on Wednesday. If he misses out, deputy Rishabh Pant will lead the side.

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stated the team will delay the decision until the eve of the Test to give Gill the best recovery chance. "He is definitely recovering really well," Kotak said. "The decision will be taken tomorrow evening. The physios and doctors need to ensure that even if fully recovered, he shouldn't get that spasm again during the game. If we have a guarantee he likely won't have this issue again, he will play. If there's doubt, he'll take rest for one more game."

India's nets session two days before a match often indicates their preferred setup. On Thursday, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel batted in that order across the four nets. Jurel, who batted at No.4 in Kolkata, could retain that position if Gill remains sidelined.

India's replacement options appear three-fold:

• Sai Sudharsan, who lost his spot in Kolkata due to tactical changes
• Devdutt Padikkal, who has batted at #3 and #4 in his two Tests
• Nitish Reddy, an all-rounder who could bat lower and allow Jurel to stay at #4

Selecting either Sudharsan or Padikkal would give India seven left-handers, potentially strengthening South African off-spinner Simon Harmer's impact. However, Kotak dismissed match-up concerns as "a little overrated."

"If we had seven right-handed batters…" Kotak countered. "I believe you have to play well. An off-spinner bowling to a left-hander doesn't mean the left-hander has to get out. We also have two left-arm spinners and they had nine right-handers – did they get out?"

Both Sudharsan and Padikkal could slot in at two-drop if selected, potentially pushing Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel down the order while Pant remains at #5.

Nitish Reddy, originally released for India A 50-over games, was recalled earlier than planned. Instead of playing all three matches, he skipped the final fixture and joined the team in Kolkata before traveling to Guwahati. He trained on Thursday, bowling alongside Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

Gill sustained his injury on Day 2 of the first Test, just three balls into his innings. After slog-sweeping Harmer for four, he appeared in immediate pain and couldn't move his head freely. He left the field clutching his neck and didn't bat in India's second innings. Hospital examination confirmed the neck spasm, and he was later seen wearing a cervical collar after discharge.