In a not-so-expected move, the Indian team management has gone in with three changes for the second IND vs NZ Test in Pune. While the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul have faced the axe, they have been replaced by Akash Deep, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill.
KL Rahul Out, Sarfaraz Khan In
After New Zealand opted to bat first on a pitch that looked dry, Rohit Sharma made the revelation, in what seems like the right call. Rahul has been going through a rough patch, and had only scored 12 runs in the Bengaluru Test, while Sarfaraz Khan had impressed with a maiden 150.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill, who had not played due to a stiff neck in the first match, was fit, so obviously Rahul was the one to miss out. Meanwhile, Siraj was overlooked for the match, who had just picked up two wickets in the series opener. Instead, Akash Deep was preferred, who has been impressive in his three matches so far, picking up 8 wickets, at an average of 23.
Lastly, Washington Sundar was included too, who recently slammed a ton in the Ranji Trophy. On a wicket that would offer assistance to the spinners, he was chosen over Kuldeep, who doesn’t offer much with the bat, but Washington can contribute well in that department. He has decent credentials so far in his career, where in four matches he has scored 265 runs, and picked up six wickets as well.
Washington Sundar Gets a Chance
After the toss, skipper Rohit Sharma made it clear that India would have also looked to bat first. “Would’ve batted as well. When you play a Test match like that, the first session didn’t go our way. But we batted well in the second innings. We take a lot of positives from that and see how we can turn things around here. Always want to find ways to get back into the Test match when you’re behind. That’s what we did.
Speaking about the pitch, he said, “Pitch is a little drier, yes. We do understand how important the first 10 overs are. Three changes – Siraj, KL and Kuldeep miss out. Akash Deep, Washington and Gill come in.”
India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah
