Team India is facing a must-win situation in the second and final Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, starting Saturday, November 22nd. With the hosts already trailing 1-0 in the series—a result that puts them in danger of a historic home whitewash—the pressure to select the perfect playing XI is immense. The challenge has been compounded by the absence of captain Shubman Gill, who is ruled out due to a neck injury sustained in the first Test. In his place, Rishabh Pant is set to lead the team in his first Test captaincy assignment, with significant tactical changes expected.

The Gill Void and Captaincy Shift

Shubman Gill’s absence is a major blow, as his right-handed batting would have been crucial against the South African off-spinner Simon Harmer, who dominated the Kolkata Test. Gill sustained a neck injury while batting in the first innings, forcing him to miss the rest of the match and ultimately, the Guwahati fixture.

Taking the reins will be Rishabh Pant, who steps up to captain the Test side for the first time. The team management has no margin for error, as a failure to win or draw this match would result in India’s second home series defeat in two years under coach Gautam Gambhir, a rare event in Indian cricket history.

Batting Merry-Go-Round: Sai Sudharsan’s Return

The most immediate change will be in the top order, with the inclusion of left-hander Sai Sudharsan to replace the skipper. Sudharsan, who was dropped in Kolkata, is expected to slot into the critical number three spot. The 23-year-old has had a mixed start to his Test career but showed glimpses of maturity with a solid knock of 87 in his last Test outing against the West Indies.

The expected batting lineup reshuffle is as follows:

• Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul remain in place.

• Top Order: Sai Sudharsan moves to number three.

• Middle Order: Dhruv Jurel is likely to move up to number four, followed by Captain Rishabh Pant at five and Ravindra Jadeja at six.

• Washington Sundar, who batted at three in Kolkata, is expected to drop down to number seven, showcasing the fluid nature of India’s middle order.

The Right-Handed SOS: Nitish Kumar Reddy

In a clear move to address the team’s imbalance, the management has reportedly made an SOS call to Nitish Kumar Reddy. His recall to the squad from the India-A circuit signals a probable inclusion in the playing XI, replacing the left-handed spinner Axar Patel.

The previous Test saw India play with six left-handers in the top eight—a number that Sudharsan’s entry would have raised to seven, playing directly into the hands of the successful off-spinner Harmer. Reddy, a right-handed all-rounder who bowls useful medium pace, provides two key solutions:

1. Right-Handed Option: He breaks the monotony of left-handers, providing a necessary counter to Harmer.

2. Pace Support: His medium pace offers another seam option in Guwahati, a venue known for its red soil pitch which is expected to offer pace, bounce, and sharp turn.

With Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav already in the squad, the team management feels they have enough spin coverage to compensate for Axar’s absence. The fast-bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Nitish Kumar Reddy (as the third seamer) is expected to hold their spots. The match will also start half an hour earlier than usual (9:00 AM IST) at the Barsapara Stadium, which is hosting its first-ever Test match.

Predicted Indian XI for Guwahati

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

2. KL Rahul

3. Sai Sudharsan

4. Dhruv Jurel

5. Rishabh Pant (c & wk)

6. Ravindra Jadeja

7. Washington Sundar

8. Nitish Kumar Reddy

9. Kuldeep Yadav

10. Jasprit Bumrah

11. Mohammed Siraj
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