India are expected to have an almost full-strength squad for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, with assistant coach Ryan ten Douchet confirming that Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are fit and available for selection.
Both players are recovering from injuries that ruled them out or limited their participation in the first Test, where India lost in Bengaluru.
Pant suffered a knee injury during New Zealand’s first innings and left the field and did not return to wicketkeeping for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurrell replaces him behind the stumps, but India hope Pant will be fit enough to resume his role in Pune.
“Yeah, I think everybody’s fine,” Ryan said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. There wasn’t much bowling in that first Test, so the fast bowlers are all good. Rishabh is pretty good.” “I think Rohit Sharma touched it the other day. He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end of the range of motion with the knee. But fingers crossed he can do this test. will remain intact in
Shubman Gill, who did not play in the first Test due to neck stiffness, is also progressing well. “He batted in Bengaluru last week, he had a few nets,” the assistant coach said of Gill. “He’s in a bit of discomfort, but I think he’ll be good to go for the test.”
Ryan also claimed that there is no concern over KL Rahul’s form at the moment but admitted that there is a big fight for places in the team. Rahul was badly out of touch in the Bengaluru Test as he was dismissed for 12 runs in the first innings.
Gill’s return poses a selection challenge for India, especially in the batting department. Sarfraz Khan, who replaced Gill in the Bengaluru Test, made the most of his opportunity with a brilliant 150. His impressive performance added to the complexity of India’s middle-order decisions, especially with Rahul’s current form being scrutinised.
“He didn’t play any balls and missed. That’s what happens when you’re not scoring runs. He got two balls in play, one down the leg side and one that he managed to nick,” Tan said. Douchet said. . “Definitely no worries about KL. He is batting well, and he is in a good mental state.”
The assistant coach pointed out that there will be tough competition for places in the playing eleven, especially in the middle order. “Sarfraz was brilliant in the last Test… We will definitely have to fit seven pieces at six places for this Test,” he said. We will now look at the pitch and decide what will be best for the team.
The second Test between India and New Zealand will start from October 24.