Sudharsan over Padikkal; Axar, Nitish battle to get nod for Guwahati Test

New Delhi: Sai Sudharshan is likely to be replacement for the injured India skipper Shubman Gill in the Indian team for the second Test against South Africa.

Spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel and seamer-batter Nitish Reddy are in contention for a slot in the playing eleven for the match that starts in Guwahati on Saturday.

In Gills absence with a neck sprain, keeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to lead the team even though the team management is yet to confirm it.

Left-handers Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal are in batte to take Gill's spot in the line-up, with the former's 87 in his last appearance likely to give him the edge.

Sudharsan and Padikkal both have not grabbed the limited chances that have come their way so far and Guwahati match could be a golden opportunity for them to stake their claim.

Sudharsan has usually batted at No.3 for India but if Washington Sundar is promoted to that spot, like he was in the first Test in Kolkata, then No.6 could be the slot for him.

India played four spinners at Eden Gardens but if the Guwahati track has a tinge of grass then one spinner could make way for Reddy.

One among Axar Patel, whose suspect wicket-taking ability and Kuldeep Yava's inferior batting could be sacrificed.