Guwahati: It was well beyond the scheduled arrival time, but there was still no sign of the Indian team bus. “They will be timed out in training,” someone joked as the anticipation around the practice nets grew. Will Shubman Gill turn up? Will he make a final attempt to be ready for the all-important second Test? The questions lingered. Soon, they were answered as Gill did not turn up, drawing the curtains on the speculation theatre. “Gill tried his best to be fit, you have to give him that, but the injury was such that it couldn’t be helped,” stand-in captain Rishabh Pant said, taking over as India’s 38th Test skipper. While Pant came to the ground for the press conference and perhaps to take one final look at the pitch, there was a notable change in India’s pre-match routine. Unlike other Tests, when only the reserves turn up for a knock on the eve of the game, three first-team batters — KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan — arrived with a group of support staff led by Gautam Gambhir on Friday. Sai, who will bat at either No. 3 or No. 6, went through his pre-match rituals, walking barefoot across the turf and shadow-practising at the crease, while openers Rahul and Jaiswal hit the nets. It was clear how desperate India, trailing 0-1 in the series, are to handle the morning challenge South Africa will pose at the Assam Cricket Stadium in Barsapara. The pitch, according to captains Temba Bavuma and Rishabh Pant, will be a traditional subcontinent red-soil surface where the ball is expected to turn from Day 3, and batters should find conditions slightly easier than at Eden Gardens. But with a 9 am start, the pacers may call the shots early due to the greenish tinge retained on the pitch. In such conditions, Rahul and Jaiswal must give India a solid start. Coach Gambhir spent time with Jaiswal, urging him to play closer to the body and right under his nose. There will be some relief for the openers with the news that South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has been officially ruled out of the Test. Rabada did not train on Friday, and Bavuma said there was a temptation to play Lungi Ngidi on this track, adding that he is “bowling as well as he ever has.” It remains to be seen if he replaces Corbin Bosch, who played a crucial hand with the bat lower down the order at Eden Gardens. Senuran Muthusamy, another left-arm spinner who can bat, bowled for quite some time on the adjacent pitch. With Keshav Maharaj having an ordinary game in Kolkata, South Africa appear to be considering the Muthusamy option. For India, the pitch conditions and Gill’s absence may facilitate the return of Nitish Reddy to the XI. As a right-hander, he brings variety to a left-heavy batting order, and his ability to bowl change-up pace could work in India’s favour. That may lead to Axar Patel sitting out. Pant said the team has considered all options and “the player who will play has been communicated about the decision.”Fading light could be a factor: If the pitch holds up well, the possibility of a draw emerges. By 3.45 pm, the light fades, and India’s bowlers may have to work extra hard to take wickets quickly so lost time doesn’t hurt them. A draw does not help India, especially after everything that has unfolded over the past week. The pressure is immense to level the series 1-1. With WTC points at stake and memories of last year’s 3-0 whitewash in New Zealand still fresh, another home series defeat will be hard to digest. “At this top level, you have to deal with pressure, especially when you’re down. But as a team, we don’t dwell too much on the result every time we play. It’s about keeping a clear mindset and giving your 200%,” Pant said. It remains to be seen if that will be enough for India to secure the face-saving win they are chasing in Assam’s debut Test.
