Indian chief coach Ravi Shastri has revealed the team’s playing combination for the second Test match. The visitors had lost the first Test match by 10 wickets and thus there can be some changes to the playing XI. It was reported on Thursday that Indian opener Prithvi Shaw didn’t attend the practice session as he had a swelling in his leg. However, it has been confirmed that the opener is fit to play and thus Shubman Gill needs to wait for more time to make his Test debut.
On the other hand, there was also a debate on Wriddhiman Saha vs Rishabh Pant. Ravi Shastri cleared that they had picked Saha in home conditions because he is great with the gloves while keeping to spinners. However, as the ball doesn’t spin a great deal in New Zealand conditions, they went with Rishabh Pant, who provides an attacking option down the order. However, Pant could not deliver the goods in the opening Test.
There could be some changes.
Ravi Shastri said in the pre-match press conference, “We went for Saha in India as there were turning tracks. Saha is one of the best around. But when you come here, there is not much of spin bowling. The emphasis is on fast bowling and batting. Rishabh, being an attacking batsman in the lower order, helps him in his selection.”
Furthermore, India will also contemplate on whom to play between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin was good with the ball in Wellington as he had scalped three wickets in the first essay.
However, the right-hander could not deliver the goods with the bat as he could only score four runs. Thus, the think tank might ponder to include Ravindra Jadeja, who is in the form of his life. Shastri added that they will take a call on the spinner at the time of toss.
Ishant is all but ruled out.
“We will take a call about Jadeja and Ashwin tomorrow. He (Ashwin) is a world-class bowler, there is no doubt about it. We have to be sure that we pick the right side for the right conditions and see what a player can bring to the table. He has bowled well over the years. If anything he would be disappointed with his batting, he would want to improve his batting in time to come,” Shastri said.
India will look to bounce back in the second Test match at Christchurch. Ishant Sharma is likely to sit out due to injury and Umesh Yadav might come into the final XI.