After missing the first Test of the ongoing three-match series against New Zealand in Bengaluru last week due to fitness-related issues, Shubman Gill is all set to return in playing XI for the second Test, which is scheduled to start on Thursday (October 24) at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. The 25-year-old right-handed batter, who has scored three centuries in eight Tests played so far this year, was seen batting in nets after the conclusion of the Bengaluru Test on Sunday, and Indian captain Rohit Sharma also shared a positive update about his recovery during the post-match press conference.
Gill bats at No. 3 for India in Tests, and he is all set to make a comeback to the side, but it will be interesting to see who makes way for him in the playing XI. Sarfaraz Khan played in his absence in the last match, and the 27-year-old right-handed batter, after getting out for a three-ball duck in the first inning, scored 150 runs in the second to make a case for his selection in the playing XI for the second Test as well.
If Sarfaraz manages to retain his place in the side, then KL Rahul will have to sit out to accommodate Gill. Rahul was dismissed for 0 and 12 runs in the two innings of the first Test, and there are calls for his omission from the playing XI as well by fans on social media platforms. But the team management has backed the 32-year-old right-handed batter on multiple occasions in the past, and it is highly unlikely that he will lose his place after one flop show.
Rahul was preferred over Sarfaraz for the Bangladesh series, and one can expect him to play over Sarfaraz in the Pune Test as well. And it makes sense as well because Rahul has played some important knocks in the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle and is a more experienced batter than Sarfaraz.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant didn’t keep wickets for India in the second innings of the 1st Test after getting hurt in his knee, which raised doubts over his fitness, but it has been reported that the 27-year-old cricketer is declared fit for the second Test. In case Pant misses out, Dhruv Jurel will play as he is the only like-for-like replacement for him in the Test squad.
India played two seamers and three spinners in the first Test, and one can expect the team management to continue with the same strategy once again, but in place of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep could get a game in Pune.
Siraj has played in the last three Tests for India, and keeping the busy calendar ahead in mind, he could be rested for the match.
The rest of the players in the playing XI are set to retain their place, and any change will only be made if there is a last-minute injury issue.
India’s likely playing XI for the 2nd Test against New Zealand: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah
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