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India faces a make-or-break moment in the India vs South Africa 2nd Test. After losing the first match, the team management seems ready to shake things up. They have made two major changes that could shift momentum.
First, Sai Sudharsan is likely to return to the playing XI. Reports say he will bat at No. 3. His return could strengthen India’s top order.
Second, Nitish Kumar Reddy may get a chance—and he might replace Axar Patel. Reddy brings right-handed balance to a batting lineup that is otherwise heavy with left-handers.
Why These Changes Matter
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Variety in Batting: With Sudharsan and Reddy, India introduces more right-handed batsmen. That may help counter spin and create better matchups.
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Team Balance: Dropping Axar makes room for a more pace-friendly all-rounder in Reddy.
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Strategic Response to Conditions: The Guwahati track may favor a different mix. According to experts, Axar could miss out based on what happened in training. Captaincy Change: Rishabh Pant will lead India in this Test, as Shubman Gill is ruled out due to a neck injury.
Probable Playing XI
Here’s how India’s likely playing XI shapes up:
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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KL Rahul
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Sai Sudharsan Dhruv Jurel
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Rishabh Pant (c & wk)
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Washington Sundar
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Kuldeep Yadav
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Mohammed Siraj
Risks & Rewards
There’s risk in making big changes in a must-win game. Sudharsan hasn’t played recently. Reddy is relatively inexperienced at Test level. But the reward could be a more dynamic, flexible team.
If India gets these changes right, they could bounce back and level the series. On the other hand, if they misread conditions or chemistry, things could go wrong again.
Conclusion
India has shown boldness. They are not just reacting — they are proactively rebalancing the side. Sudharsan’s return and Reddy’s inclusion signal a fresh strategy. And with Pant leading, India looks to fight back strongly in the second Test.
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