The wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are likely to be available for the second test of the New Zealand tour of India 2024 scheduled to be played in Pune.
The assistant coach Ryan ten Doechate said Rishabh Pant is fit and will likely take gloves as India aims to level the series during the upcoming clash.
Pant hurt his knee on the second day of the Test after he attempted to stump Devon Conway in the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings.
He failed to collect the ball and got injured in his right knee and appeared to discomfort during his 99-run knock during the second innings.
“Everyone is really well. There wasn’t too much bowling in the first Test. The fast bowlers are all good. Rishabh is pretty good. He was having a little bit of discomfort the other day with the movement of his knee but fingers crossed, he’ll be good to keep in the Test (in Pune),” ten Doechate said on Tuesday.
He also confirmed Shubman Gill’s fitness and said he will be returning to playing 11. “He looks so. He has batted well in Bengaluru and has had a few hits. He had some discomfort but he looks good to go,” he added.
Shubman Gill missed the Bengaluru Test due to stiff neck. He will be batting at No.3 where Virat Kohli batted during the first test.
Ten Doeschate dropped hints to suggest that KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan will make way for Gill in the playing 11. “There’s no denying that there is a fight for a spot. Sarfaraz was brilliant.”
“I went to KL after the last Test and asked him ‘how many did you play and miss?’ He didn’t play and miss even one ball. That’s what tends to happen when you’re not getting runs.”
“He nicked one down the leg side, and got a good one. So there’s no concern about KL Rahul. He’s in a good mental space. But we’ve got to fit seven pieces into six spots. We’ve got to look at the conditions and select the best XI.”
KL Rahul who scored a century on a South Africa tour earlier this year has been ruled out due to an injury, is in good nick but because Sarfaraz who replaced Gill in the series opener, smashed 150 runs in the second innings, the team management are left with very little choice but to take the harsh call of looking beyond Rahul.
“We’re not worried about his form. We have a lot of faith in him. It’s a very competitive environment. With a 150 and hundreds in the Irani Trophy, The decision will be what’s best for the team, but we will continue to back all the players,” ten Doeschate said.
India lost the first match of the Test series their first defeat New Zealand at home since 1988. The need to win the next two tests to win the series and stand to chance to qualify for the WTC final with ease.
The second match of the test series will begin on October 24 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
