Guwahati, November 22, 2025 - India faces a must-win situation in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati after a disappointing loss in the series opener in Kolkata. The pressure is mounting on the Men in Blue to avoid a second consecutive home series loss. Amidst these challenges, significant changes are expected in the batting order, with Shubman Gill ruled out due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test.
Gill's absence creates a void at the crucial No. 4 position, traditionally a spot for a stable and technically sound batter. The team management has confirmed that Sai Sudharsan will replace Gill in the playing XI. Sudharsan, who made his Test debut earlier this year, has shown maturity and consistency across formats, making him a strong contender to fill the No. 4 role.
Another significant change in the batting lineup involves Washington Sundar. After the experiment of batting Sundar at No. 3 in the first Test didn't yield the desired results, he is expected to move down the order to No. 8. In the first Test, Sundar scored 29 and 31 but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The decision to demote Sundar aims to provide more stability to the top order and utilize Sundar's all-round skills in the lower middle order.
Rishabh Pant will lead the Indian side in this crucial Test match, stepping in as captain in Gill's absence. This marks Pant's first outing as Test skipper. Sundar expressed confidence in Pant's instincts as captain, expecting him to make interesting decisions throughout the game.
The revised batting order aims to provide a blend of stability and experience, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the innings. The middle order will rely on Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja to contribute significantly. The team hopes that this reshuffling will address the batting concerns that plagued them in the first Test.
India's coach, Gautam Gambhir, faces scrutiny after the team's recent performances. With the series on the line, the team needs to regroup and deliver a strong performance to level the series. The pressure is on the entire team to perform at their best and avoid a series defeat on home soil.
