"We have taken the decision" - Rishabh Pant's huge statement on Shubman Gill's replacement for IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Team India stand-in captain Rishabh Pant has revealed that the management have landed on a decision regarding the injured Shubman Gill's replacement in the playing XI for the second Test against South Africa. The ace batter has officially been ruled out of the must-win clash due to a neck injury that he sustained during the series opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Shubman Gill walked off the field after injuring his neck while batting on Day 2, and neither did he resume his innings, nor did he return to the field as he was hospitalised, as India lost the match by 30 runs. While the captain travelled with the team to Guwahati, he did not partake in any training sessions leading up to the contest.

The Men in Blue now have a huge void to fill in the core of the batting order with Gill unavailable for selection. They have a couple of batters in Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal on the bench, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been recalled to the squad after his recent stint with India 'A'.

In Gill's absence in the second innings of the first Test, the hosts had sent out Dhruv Jurel at No.4.

Rishabh Pant informed that the candidate in question has been informed of his inclusion in the playing XI in place of Gill.

"We have taken the decision on who will play in place of Shubman. The person who will play knows he is playing," the stand-in skipper said during the pre-match press conference (via RevSportz).

He also shared an update on Gill, who is reportedly on his way to Mumbai to meet a specialist and devise a way to combat the neck injury that has been troubling him for a while.

"He's (Gill) doing fine, getting better. He was very keen on playing this Test. He showed resilience even when body was not permitting. I got to know yesterday only that I will be leading in this Test. I've been having a chat with Gill everyday," Pant added.

The second Test between India and South Africa will be hosted by the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from Saturday, November 22, onwards.

"A lot of left-handers in our batting line-up" - Rishabh Pant on Team India's combination ahead of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Team India had scripted history by fielding a record six left-handed players in their playing XI for the first Test against South Africa. South Africa right-arm off-spinner Simon Harmer made the most of the match-up by bagging eight wickets in the match to steer the visitors to a famous win.

"We have taken that into consideration, a lot of left-handers in our batting line-up," Rishabh Pant said.

The pitch at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata used for the series opener became a major talking point as the contest ended inside three days. Rishabh Pant feels that the expected red-soil surface in Guwahati will play better.

"This pitch would be better to bat on. Spin will come into play later," he concluded.

In the upcoming second Test, India are avoiding a second series loss at home in the space of 12 months, while South Africa are eyeing their first series win on Indian soil in 25 years.

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Edited by Gokul Nair