Shubman Gill with travel to Guwahati. The India Test captain was from Woodlands Hospital in Kolkata on November 16, after suffering neck spasms, and has been with the Indian team at ITC Sonar since. Gill will be part of the squad, that’ll fly to Guwahati on November 19, but his participation isn’t certain.

Gill to play Guwahati Test?

The Board Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team and local doctors are monitoring Gill’s condition. The selectors and team management are in constant touch and want Gill to play the India vs South Africa 2nd Test but won’t rush him back. The final call on Indian captain’s participation will be taken on the eve of the match.

“That was the original plan and there is no change as of now – Gill will travel. Barring a last-minute change, he should be in Guwahati,” a source told Cricbuzz.

Nitish Reddy joins squad

Nitish Kumar Reddy has also linked up with India’s squad in Kolkata. Originally part of the team, the all-rounder was released to feature for India A instead. Nitish was in Rajkot and was expected to feature in third and final one-day match against South Africa A, when BCCI called him up. By November 17, he was in Kolkata with the team and will leave for Guwahati with them.

Nitish’s inclusion in the squad does raise some questions. Has the all-rounder been added as cover for Gill or someone else? At the Eden Gardens, India went with 6 left-handed batters and Simon Harmer wreaked havoc.

It could be an indication that perhaps Axar Patel will be rested for Nitish but on the other hand, the Indian management has already been criticised for playing too many all-rounders.