India's predicted playing XI for the 2nd Test vs New Zealand | October 24, 2024
India will face off against New Zealand in the second Test of the three-match series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune from Thursday, October 24. Rohit Sharma and company are currently 1-0 down in the series, having gone down to the Kiwis by eight wickets in the series opener in Bengaluru.
India will certainly ponder a couple of changes for this encounter. While a player who missed the opening Test of the series is expected to be fit for this one, there are concerns in other departments that might need addressing as well.
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 is India's predicted playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will again open the batting for India, and both batters need to play substantial knocks. While the Indian skipper hasn't crossed the three-figure mark in a while, Jaiswal has experienced a minor slump in his promising Test career and will want to correct that at the earliest.
Middle order: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja
Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test with a stiff neck, is expected to be fit for this encounter. The young batter took part in practice sessions in the lead-up to the game without any discomfort and should slot in at No. 3.
India have some decisions to make elsewhere, with Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul vying for a single spot in the middle order. While Rahul might be the one preferred by the team management, given that they have an eye on him for the Australia tour, it would be incredibly hard to drop Sarfaraz after the 150 he scored in the last game.
Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja will make up the rest of the middle order. Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Pant is fit enough to keep wickets after suffering a blow to the knee in Bengaluru which forced him off the field.
Lower order: Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Washington Sundar has been added to the Indian squad, but it's hard to see the young off-spinning all-rounder come into the mix. Ravichandran Ashwin is expected to lead the spin attack again, with Kuldeep Yadav for company.
Mohammed Siraj has been off-color for a while now, and India could consider replacing him with Akash Deep, who has looked promising in his Test career so far. Deep could partner Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball.