Doubts have emerged within Indian cricket circles regarding the team management's approach to player selection, particularly concerning Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan and the handling of Shubman Gill's injury. According to reports, despite Gill carrying a neck injury sustained during the first Test match, the team is hesitant to call up a replacement, signaling a preference for the half-fit Gill over other in-form contenders like Sarfaraz Khan.
Gill suffered a neck spasm during the opening Test. While initial reports suggested he would likely miss the crucial second Test in Guwahati, he defied medical advice and traveled with the team. Sources within the team suggest that while the pain has eased, it persists, and Gill faces a fitness test to determine his availability for the match.
The decision to persist with Gill, even at less than full fitness, has sparked debate, especially considering Sarfaraz Khan's consistent performance in domestic cricket. Khan has been scoring runs consistently but has been repeatedly overlooked. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly expressed his disappointment and concern over Khan's repeated omissions, suggesting the batsman might feel the door to the national team is closed. Ashwin questioned the selectors' rationale, emphasizing Khan's recent century and fitness improvements.
The team management's apparent reluctance to include another left-handed batter in the lineup is also a factor. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal were considered as potential replacements for Gill. However, concerns exist about having too many left-handers, potentially giving the South African off-spinner Simon Harmer an advantage, who took eight wickets of left-handers in the first game.
This situation highlights a potential lack of trust in Sarfaraz Khan, despite his undeniable domestic form. The decision to prioritize a potentially unfit Shubman Gill over a fully fit and in-form Sarfaraz Khan raises questions about the selection criteria and the communication between the selectors, team management, and players. The faith shown in Gill, despite his injury, suggests that the team is backing his potential and past performances, even if his current physical condition is not ideal. Ultimately, the decision rests on Gill's fitness test and the team's strategy for the crucial second Test.
