India collapsed to a horrific defeat at the hands of South Africa at the Centurion, with young Shubman Gill failing to do anything at all with the bat. The flamboyant batsman, known to be an ‘ODI bully’, failed to thrive in the challenging conditions in SA as he was sent packing in both innings for single-digit scores. With India having failed to conquer the final frontier, the question of whether Gill should be dropped from the 2nd Test may be hovering over the selectors’ minds.
IND vs SA: Should Gill be dropped for 2nd Test?
The past few days have been unkind to India and even more so towards Gill. Coming out to bat at number 3 in the 1st innings at Centurion, the swashbuckling batter was dismissed for just 2 runs by debutant Nandre Burger. Gill’s miserable form continued in the 2nd innings as well, as he had his stumps knocked over by the towering Marco Jansen.
A 26-run knock studded with 6 boundaries in the 2nd innings was the only highlight that Gill had to his name for the 1st IND vs SA Test. With an average of 28.66 in 10 Test innings in 2023, the right-handed batter’s numbers are oddly in stark contrast with his ODI numbers, igniting the headache for the selectors.
Gill has moved on from his role as an opening batsman in ODIs to the number three position in the red-ball format. While India could have taken their chances and drop Gill for the 2nd Test, it is highly unlikely to happen.
There is another option that India could pursue and the name of the subject is Abhimanyu Easwaran. The Tamil Nadu batter has been in stellar form in the domestic circuit and has been named as injured Gaikwad’s replacement. If India were to think of dropping Gill for the 2nd Test, then Easwaran automatically becomes an option available for the selectors.
Considering the need for a strong batting line-up coupled with the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Gill may just get one more chance.
However, time is running out for Gill as he probably has two innings left to prove his worth before the India vs England series, scheduled to start in January 2024.
IND vs SA 1st Test
South Africa remains unconquered! The Final Frontier remains still. India faced a humiliating loss at the hands of the Proteas to lose the game by an innings. Dean Elgar’s blazing 185 proved too much for the visitors who fell down like a pack of cards. SA clinched the win on Day 3 with an innings and 32 runs.
