Rishabh Pant opens up on Shubman Gill’s replacement for IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

India’s stand-in captain Rishabh Pant has revealed that the team has decided Shubman Gill’s replacement for the second Test match against South Africa. Gill has been officially ruled out of the second game due to a neck spasm, which he suffered in the opening game.

However, Pant didn’t reveal the player’s name who would come in for Shubman Gill. Gill could only face three deliveries in the opening Test and his absence did hurt India in both innings in the series opener as they suffered a 30-run loss. The Indian skipper is all set to travel to Mumbai to see a specialist doctor.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recalled to the India squad after the all-rounder played for India A.

“We have taken the decision on who will play in place of Shubman. The person who will play knows he is playing,” the stand-in skipper said during the pre-match press conference.

“He’s (Gill) doing fine, getting better. He was very keen on playing this Test. He showed resilience even when body was not permitting. I got to know yesterday only that I will be leading in this Test. I’ve been having a chat with Gill everyday,” Pant added.

India had six left-handers in their playing XI in the opening Test match at Kolkata and Pant said they have taken that into consideration.

“We have taken that into consideration, a lot of left-handers in our batting line-up,” Rishabh Pant said.

After the controversial Kolkata pitch, Pant said the Guwahati track would be better for batting.

“We have taken that into consideration, a lot of left-handers in our batting line-up,” Rishabh Pant said.

India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.