Indian batter Shubman Gill is all set to feature in the second Test against New Zealand, starting on Thursday (October 24) at MCA Stadium in Pune. India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed the development on Tuesday.
Gill reportedly missed the opening test of the series due to a stiff neck and Sarfaraz Khan was slotted in the XI. Moreover, Virat Kohli came to bat at No. 3, the slot where Gill has been batting since last year. Notably, the 25-year-old averages 43.44 across 11 matches and scored three hundreds at No. 3.
Here’s what ten Doeschate said on the pre-game press conference (via ESPNcricinfo):
“He [Gill] has batted well in Bengaluru and has had a few hits. He had some discomfort but he looks good to go.”
Ten Doeschate also confirmed that there is a tough fight between Sarfraraz Khan and KL Rahul for a place in the XI. The opening test saw Sarfaraz produce a terrific knock of 150 to help the Indian team recover well after trailing by 356 runs in the first innings. Meanwhile, Rahul returned with knocks of 0 & 12 and is in a tough spot ahead of the second test.
Meanwhile, head coach Gautam Gambhir reiterated that the team management trusts KL Rahul’s capabilities and he is playing well. It will be interesting to see who among Rahul or Sarfaraz gets a final nod for the Pune test.
What Ryan ten Doeschate said about Rishabh Pant’s inclusion for 2nd Test?
Ryan ten Doeschate also gave an answer to Rishabh Pant’s participation in the second test. In the Bengaluru fixture, Pant sustained a knee injury on Day 2 and Dhruv Jurel kept wickets for India.
Pant returned with a sensational knock of 99 in the second innings but didn’t keep wickets for the remainder of the game. However, Ten Doeschate was optimistic of Pant playing the second test. He said (via ESPNcricinfo):
“Rishabh’s pretty good. I think Rohit [Sharma] touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed he’ll be good to keep in this Test as well.”
The former Dutch batter also touched upon the topic of Washington Sundar being picked for the remaining two tests. He feels the right-arm spinner Sundar can be helpful for them against the in-form left-handers, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.
Sundar was rewarded for his fine performance in the recent Ranji Trophy clash against Delhi. He returned with a knock of 152 and picked up a total of six wickets.
