Good news for ailing Team India, “Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill available” Pune Test

As India Cricket Team look to bounce back following the loss in the IND vs NZ Bengaluru Test, there is good news. Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are declared fit to play. While Shubman was carrying a niggle Rishabh was hit on the right knee. Rishabh did not keep wickets in the 2nd innings as a precautionary measure. But now, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that both are available for the Pune Test.

“Rishabh is pretty good. I think Rohit 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. Gill batted last week in Bangalore. He had a few nets. He’s got a little bit of discomfort, but I think he will be good to go for the Test,” Ryan ten Doeschate said.

Rishabh Pant injury update

India’s No 1 wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant suffered an injury scare on Day 2 of IND vs NZ Bengaluru Test. He limped off the field after he was hit on the right knee while keeping wickets. Rishabh was seen clutching his knee in pain. He did not return to his keeping duties. However, he batted without any issue in the 2nd innings. He even scored a brilliant 99 off 105 balls playing through pain in Bengaluru, saving India’s face after the hosts were bowled out for 46 in the first innings.

Considering he had major surgery in his right knee after the near-fatal car crash in December 2022, BCCI did not want to risk him. Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in his absence. Three ligaments had to be reconstructed in his right knee during the surgery. Following the scare, he felt discomfort in his knee, forcing the India team management to withdraw him from keeping duties.

While it’s still unclear whether he will be able to keep wickets in IND vs NZ Pune Test, he has got the clearance to play.

But it is likely that Dhruv Jurel could play the Test with Rishabh Pant playing as a specialist batter. In Pune, Dhruv went through the grind of wicketkeeping drills. Pant only watched him from the sidelines.

Shubman Gill injury update

Gill missed out on the Bengaluru Test with a stiff neck. But he later returned to net practice. However, with Sarfaraz Khan scoring a brilliant maiden Test century in his absence, Team India now need to take the call between him and Gill.

Despite scoring a century against Bangladesh in 1st Test, Gill scored only 39 and 6 in the next two innings. While it is likely that Shubman Gill will return to the India Playing XI for the Pune Test, the question is who will make way if Sarfaraz Khan has to be retained.

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin is also fit and fine. There were doubts about his fitness after Ashwin bowled only two overs in the 2nd innings as New Zealand went on to win by 7 wickets. But Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that he is “absolutely fine”.

“He bowled nicely. I know he bowled only two overs in the second innings. But it looked like his pace and his rhythm were back to where it needs to be,” India’s assistant coach told media ahead of IND vs NZ Pune Test.

Selection headache in IND vs NZ Pune Test

The burning question in Pune in team selection is KL Rahul. Despite starting well with a comeback century in Centurion, Rahul has once again faded away. While the team management is not in favour of dropping him after a Test, there is also a need to include Sarfaraz Khan after his wonderful century.

KL Rahul has the worst average among the contestants in Tests this year. He only averages 33.42 in 8 innings. Sarfaraz Khan averages 58.33 while Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel average 50.92 and 63.33, respectively.

Team India could retain Sarfaraz Khan, dropping KL Rahul for Shubman Gill. However, if Rishabh Pant can’t keep wickets, India could recall Dhruv Jurel. The alternate option could be to play KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper while Rishabh plays as a specialist batter.

Player	Inns	Runs	Avg	50/100
KL Rahul	8	234	33.42	2/0
Sarfaraz Khan	7	350	58.33	3/1
Shubman Gill	15	662	50.92	3/2
Dhruv Jurel	4	190	63.33	1/0