3 things to look forward to in the 2nd India vs New Zealand Test ft. Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul
Action in the India vs New Zealand Test series will move from Bengaluru to Pune, with the second Test set to commence on Thursday, October 24. The Kiwis currently hold an unexpected 1-0 lead in the three-match rubber.
New Zealand turned in an excellent performance at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to secure their first win on Indian soil in 36 years. While India will be keen on restoring parity in the series, the Black Caps will know that they are mightily close to a historic achievement despite being without Kane Williamson.
India’s squad for the three Tests against New Zealand: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
On that note, here are three things to look forward to in the second Test between India and New Zealand.
#3 India have a selection dilemma - Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul?
The team management seems to prefer KL Rahul, who has notched up a few fifties and a century since moving to the middle order. The experienced batter has toured Australia before and has been earmarked as one to man the middle order Down Under.
Sarfaraz Khan, however, has proven tough to brush aside. The 27-year-old notched up a sensational maiden Test century in the first Test in Bengaluru, furthering his case for a permanent spot in the side.
India now have a clear selection dilemma on their hands. They will need to choose between Sarfaraz and Rahul, and the wrong message could be sent irrespective of which player they pick. The hosts will need to handle this carefully, and it'll be interesting to see what approach they take.
#2 Will Shubman Gill's return galvanize India?
Why do India have room for only one of Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul? Well, that's because Shubman Gill, who missed the last game with an stiff neck, is all set to return to the fray for the second Test in Pune.
Gill's return could be important to India's fortunes. Virat Kohli hasn't taken to the No. 3 slot very well over the years in Tests and bagged a duck in the first innings of the opening game of the series. Gill's presence at No. 3 will help India immensely because it will allow Kohli and potentially Sarfaraz Khan to play at more ideal positions.
Moreover, the young batter has been in decent form in red-ball cricket of late. Can Gill make his return known with a meaningful contribution that ends in a series-leveling victory?
#1 Can Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli step up?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are arguably the team's two most important batters in Test cricket. Rishabh Pant is up there, of course, but Rohit and Kohli form the backbone of the team.
Yet, both cricketers haven't made an impact in the home season thus far. While Rohit has played a few sparkling cameos before being dismissed in various confusing ways, Kohli has alternated between comfortable half-centuries and early walks back to the pavilion.
A lot will be on the line for India in the second Test. Not only is the series hanging in the balance, but qualification for the World Test Championship final is also at stake. It'll be interesting to see if the senior batting duo take the onus to rescue the hosts on their shoulders.