India are considering multiple options to replace Shubman Gill in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, after he was ruled out due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test in Kolkata. Gill suffered the injury on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test and was hospitalized for examination. The BCCI confirmed that he was discharged the next day but was not fully fit to play in the second Test. He has since travelled to Mumbai for further assessment and injury management. Rishabh Pant will captain the team in Gill's absence.

With Gill sidelined, India face a selection dilemma. Several players are in contention to replace him, including Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Sai Sudharsan appears to be the most straightforward replacement. However, the team may want to consider the composition of the batting order, as including Sudharsan would mean having multiple left-handed batters.

According to reports, stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant has stated that a decision has been made regarding Gill's replacement and that the chosen player is aware of their inclusion in the XI.

Here's a closer look at the potential replacements:

• Sai Sudharsan: Sudharsan is a left-handed batter who was surprisingly left out of the first Test. He is considered a strong contender due to his good form and ability to play spin well.
• Nitish Kumar Reddy: Reddy is a right-handed, seam-bowling all-rounder who has rejoined the squad after being rested for the first Test. Including him would provide a right-hand batting option and add depth to the bowling attack.
• Devdutt Padikkal: Padikkal is another left-handed batting option in the squad.

Other potential replacements that the selectors could consider include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Karun Nair. Gaikwad has been in excellent form in domestic cricket and India A fixtures.

The decision to send Gill to Guwahati despite his injury was a calculated risk, with the team management hoping for a last-minute recovery. Ultimately, Gill was deemed not match-fit and was advised to consult a specialist in Mumbai.

India lost the first Test by 30 runs, and with Gill's absence, they will need to make a strategic decision to ensure a strong batting lineup for the second Test. The match begins on November 22 in Guwahati.