Aakash Chopra picks Shubman Gill’s replacement at No. 4 for IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra picked Shubman Gill's replacement for the second Test between India and South Africa. The game will be played in Guwahati, beginning November 22.

Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury while batting in the first innings of the opening Test in Kolkata. He did not take any further part in the game. While he did travel with the team to Guwahati, reports suggest that he has been ruled out of the second Test.

Aakash Chopra reckoned that India must play Dhruv Jurel at number four if Gill remains unavailable. (via X)

Jurel batted at number seven in the first innings of the first Test and at number four in the second innings. He did not have a great outing, but has been in solid form in recent times. The right-hander scored a century against the West Indies in the first Test and slammed unbeaten twin hundreds for India A against South Africa A.

India lost the first Test against the Proteas by 30 runs. Therefore, the Guwahati Test will be a must-win affair for the hosts to level the two-match series.

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Aakash Chopra's To-Do list for India for the Guwahati Test

Apart from picking Dhruv Jurel at number four, should Gill miss out, Aakash Chopra had a few more suggestions for India in his To-Do list ahead of the Guwahati Test.

The first thing on the list was to prepare a better pitch. Notably, it was a difficult wicket to bat on in the first Test as batters from both sides struggled. South Africa made 159 in the first innings while India got to 189. The Proteas then made 153, and the hosts were bowled out for 93 chasing 124. Chopra suggested making a pitch where the match would go on for five days. The first Test was wrapped up in just two and a half days.

Aakash Chopra

@cricketaakash

To-do list for the Guwahati Test1. Prepare a better pitch that is meant to have a 5-day Test. Not a 2.5 day lottery. 2. Play 6 proper batters. Four spinners + two pacers doesn’t work in Tests. 3. In case Gill isn’t available, play Jurel at four. ​You can add your wish-list in comments 😇

Talking about the team combination, he stated that four spinners were not required and India should play six proper batters. The hosts went with four spinners and two pacers in the opening Test.

India suffered their fourth defeat in the last six home Tests. After having lost 0-3 to New Zealand last year, they would be determined to avoid another home series loss.