Overview
- Shubman Gill was hospitalized with a neck issue during the Kolkata Test and, per PTI/CAB guidance, has been advised rest and not to fly, making him unlikely to travel to Guwahati.
- India trained at Eden Gardens before departure, with Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel in the nets as coaches assessed options following the 30‑run defeat.
- Head coach Gautam Gambhir said the Eden surface was exactly what the team asked for, and curator Sujan Mukherjee said he prepared the pitch as instructed, drawing sharp criticism from former players.
- Sunil Gavaskar urged leaving pitch preparation to curators and linked India’s batting failures to limited Ranji Trophy participation, calling for selection to reward domestic form.
- With South Africa leading 1‑0, India are considering Sai Sudharsan as the frontrunner to replace Gill, with Devdutt Padikkal and right‑hand options like Abhimanyu Easwaran or Ruturaj Gaikwad discussed for the Barsapara Test starting November 22, which will feature adjusted session timings.