October 22, 2024: Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that Shubman Gill is fit to play after recovering from neck stiffness, which caused him to miss the first Test in Bengaluru.
His absence was felt as India lost the match by eight wickets, their first home defeat to New Zealand since 1988. Ryan mentioned in a pre-match press conference that Gill had been practicing extensively and is expected to be available for the upcoming Test, saying, “He looks so (available for the next game)… I think he will be fine for this Test.”
Ryan also addressed the inclusion of Washington Sundar in the squad for the second and third Tests, explaining that it was not a “desperate measure,” but a strategic decision to add a bowler who could turn the ball away from New Zealand’s three left-handed batters: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra. Despite already having spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, Ryan emphasized that Sundar’s ability to contribute with the ball and his recent form in domestic cricket made him a valuable addition to the squad.
Sundar’s inclusion follows his standout performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, where he scored a brilliant 152 off 269 balls for Tamil Nadu. Known for his all-round abilities, Sundar has a solid Test record, averaging 66.25 with the bat across four Tests and contributing with three half-centuries.
Ryan also provided an update on Rishabh Pant, who had suffered a blow to his surgically repaired knee during the first Test. Pant has been dealing with slight discomfort but is expected to keep wickets in the second Test. In the first Test, Pant returned to bat despite the injury, scoring a quick 99 off 105 balls.
Regarding KL Rahul’s form, Ryan dismissed concerns, stating that Rahul is in a good space despite his inconsistency in Test matches. Since returning to the Test side in December 2023, Rahul has improved slightly, averaging 37.66 over six Tests, but competition for spots remains fierce, especially with the emergence of Sarfaraz Khan.
India’s squad for the second and third Tests includes Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, and Washington Sundar.
