The biggest and most embarrassing defeat at the hands of South Africa in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in 66 years has deeply hurt the confidence of Team India. The failure of Indian batsmen on the spin track has put everyone in the dock. Not being able to cross 200 runs in the first innings and even 100 runs in the second innings raises serious questions on both the preparation and selection of the team. In such an environment, before the second Test to be played in Guwahati, Team India has suffered another big blow – the team’s most reliable and in-form batsman Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Gill could not even come out to bat in both the innings of the Kolkata Test. The team management gave preliminary information about his injury, but it was expected that perhaps he would be fit by Guwahati. But it became clear in the reports that Gill’s condition did not improve and he had to be dropped from the team. Now who will be included in the playing eleven in his place has become a big question for the team management.

This is the juncture where the controversy over the selection process has increased further. A veteran former Indian cricketer had advised that in view of the high number of left-handed batsmen in the team, a strong right-handed domestic cricketer should be given a chance. Under this advice, three names clearly emerged – Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran. All three players are consistently scoring runs in domestic cricket and are considered suitable for Test cricket.

The advocacy for including these three in the team was also strong because due to the abundance of left-handed batsmen in Team India’s top-order, it was easier for the opposition team to make bowling plans. A strong right-handed batsman could have overcome this weakness. But according to reports, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar did not completely agree with this advice and decided to take an unfit player like Gill along with the team to Guwahati.

This decision has created dissatisfaction among cricket experts and fans. Many questions are being raised regarding Gill’s health and team combination. Critics say that when the team is already struggling with so few runs, the balance of the team could have been improved only by giving new energy and a chance to new batsmen. Then Sarfaraz Khan is continuously scoring runs in domestic cricket and he is not getting a proper opportunity in the Test team for a long time. Karun Nair, who has scored a triple century in Test cricket, has also been away from the selectors’ eyes for a long time. Abhimanyu Easwaran has not been able to find a place in the playing eleven despite being together continuously.

The team management is also being accused of continuously lacking transparency in the selection process. The inclusion of a right-handed batsman was suggested because South Africa’s spinners troubled the Indian top order at the same angles. If there were players like Karun, Sarfaraz or Easwaran, it was possible that the opposition bowlers would have to change their plans.

Guwahati Test has now become do or die for India. If the second match also gets lost after losing the first test, then the risk of losing the series will increase. In such difficult times, the role of team composition and selection strategy is extremely important. Gill’s injury has weakened Team India, but there was a need to find a replacement. Will this insistence of the team management be a burden on Team India, the answer to this will be revealed in Guwahati.

Conditions ahead of the second Test are clearly indicating that the Indian team is currently struggling on both the internal and external fronts—both on-field performance and off-field selection controversies could impact the team’s confidence. Now all eyes are on the Guwahati Test, where Team India will have to win at any cost.