Shubman Gill’s availability for the second India–South Africa Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, scheduled from November 22 to 26, remains uncertain as the young Indian captain continues to recover from a neck injury. The 26-year-old suffered the injury on Day 2 of the first Test at Eden Gardens, forcing him out of the second innings and sending him to the hospital for precautionary checks.

Although Gill is expected to travel with the squad to Guwahati, neither the team management nor the medical staff has provided a definitive update on whether he will be fit in time for the must-win fixture. If Gill is ruled out, India will be forced to rethink their top-order combination. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal are the immediate bench options, but both are left-handers—adding to India’s already heavy left-handed batting lineup.

Former India opener and now prominent analyst Aakash Chopra believes the team needs more balance, and for that reason, Ruturaj Gaikwad should be seriously considered if Gill does not recover in time. Chopra highlighted that India currently have six left-handers in their XI and that adding a seventh could make them vulnerable against South Africa’s off-spinners and angle-based attack.

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In his view, the selectors should look beyond the original squad list and pick someone who offers form, stability, and the benefit of being a right-hander. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s recent performances make a compelling argument. Even though he hasn’t made his Test debut yet, he has been in exceptional touch in the ongoing domestic season.

Playing for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy, he has recorded scores of 91, 55*, 116, and 36*, showcasing both temperament and consistency. His white-ball form has been equally dominant—just last week in Rajkot, he smashed 117 and an unbeaten 68 for India A against South Africa A, earning back-to-back Player of the Match awards.

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Aakash Chopra also emphasised Gaikwad’s adaptability, pointing out that he has experience batting both up the order and in the middle order. He praised Gaikwad’s compact technique and composure—qualities that make him a strong candidate for Test cricket. Adding a touch of nostalgia, Chopra reminded viewers that Guwahati is the same venue where Gaikwad slammed a T20I century against Australia, further strengthening his case for a Test debut if Gill is unavailable.

In his analysis, Chopra summed it up clearly: if Gill fails to recover, India shouldn’t hesitate to parachute Gaikwad into the playing XI—a in-form, technically sound right-hander could be precisely what India needs in a high-stakes contest.