Changes expected in India’s XI for the second Test against New Zealand as Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are declared fit. The big question: Who will bat at No. 6?
Source: Hindustan Times
India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has all but confirmed India’s wicketkeeper-batter for the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Ten Doeschate stated that Rishabh Pant is fit and will most likely take the gloves as India aims to level the series on Thursday. Dhruv Jurel’s name had come up as there were doubts about Pant’s availability after he didn’t keep wickets following Day 2 due to a blow to his right knee and appeared to be in discomfort during his brilliant 99-run innings in the second innings. However, ten Doeschate assured that Pant is fit to keep.
“Everyone is doing well. There wasn’t much bowling in the first Test, and the fast bowlers are good. Rishabh is feeling fine. He had some discomfort with his knee movement, but fingers crossed, he’ll be ready to keep wickets in Pune,” ten Doeschate said on Tuesday.
The former Netherlands all-rounder also confirmed that Shubman Gill is fit and ready to return to the XI. “He looks good. He has batted well in Bengaluru and had a few sessions. He had some discomfort, but he’s ready to go,” he added. Gill, who missed the Bengaluru Test due to a stiff neck, is expected to return at No. 3, where Virat Kohli batted in the first Test.
Rahul Likely to Lose Spot to Shubman Gill
Ten Doeschate hinted that KL Rahul, not Sarfaraz Khan, will make way for Shubman Gill in the XI. “There’s no denying that there’s competition for a spot. Sarfaraz was brilliant. I spoke to KL after the last Test and asked him how many balls he played and missed. He didn’t miss even one. That’s what happens when you’re not scoring runs; sometimes you just get unlucky. He nicked one down the leg side and got a good delivery. There’s no concern about KL Rahul’s form, he’s in a good mental space. But we’ve got seven players for six spots, so we need to assess the conditions and pick the best XI.”
Rahul, who had a solid century in South Africa earlier this year and a half-century against England before getting injured, is in good form. However, Shubman Gill’s return from injury adds to the selection challenge. Gill missed the first Test due to a stiff neck but is now fully fit and expected to take his place in the XI. Sarfaraz, who replaced Gill in the first Test, scored 150 in the second innings, leaving the management with a tough decision to drop Rahul.
“We’re not worried about Rahul’s form; we have a lot of faith in him. It’s a competitive environment, and with Sarfaraz’s 150 and Gill’s readiness, we’ll make the decision that’s best for the team. But we continue to back all our players,” ten Doeschate emphasized.
India, after losing the first Test by 8 wickets, their first home defeat to New Zealand since 1988, must win the next two Tests to win the series and keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the World Test Championship final.
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