The second match of the three-Test series between India and New Zealand will begin tomorrow at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. India lost the first test by 8 wickets.
In the second Test as well, the Indian team's combination may remain the same as the first match, but this time some names may change. The team will then field with five batsmen, one wicketkeeper, three spinners and two fast bowlers. However, before finalizing the playing XI, the team management has to find answers to three questions.
- First question- Will Shubman Gill or KL Rahul play? Gill did not play the first Test due to injury. Now it fits. Rahul failed in the first test.
- Another question- Will Kuldeep Yadav or Akshar Patel be the third spinner along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja? Kuldeep could not do anything special in the first Test. If the letters come, the batting will be strong.
- Third question- Will Siraj or Akashdeep be with Bumrah? Siraj is not in his old rhythm. Akashdeep takes the wicket with the new ball. Can also bat.
Sarfaraz strengthened his position Gill was scheduled to play at number three in the Bengaluru Test, but was injured before the match. Sarfraz Khan got a chance to replace him. Sarfaraz took full advantage of the opportunity and scored a century. It will be very difficult for the team management to keep him out now. In such a situation, if Gill has to be brought into the playing-11, KL Rahul will have to sit out.
Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant cannot be dropped. In such a situation, it is KL Rahul's turn to be out. If Rahul is given another chance, Gill will be on the bench this time too.
The team can go with 3 all-rounders to add depth to the batting In the first innings of the first Test match, the entire Indian batting collapsed. The top order and middle order played well in the second innings, but the lower order could not put up any fight.
India scored 408 for 3 in the second innings, but lost the last 6 wickets to add 54 runs and were bowled out for 462 runs. To avoid such a situation this time, the Indian team can replace Kuldeep Yadav with Akshar Patel as the third spinner.
2 fast bowlers may get a chance Team India can give chance to two fast bowlers again in playing-11. Jasprit Bumrah is certain to play. Mohammad Siraj is being challenged by Akash Deep for another pace bowler. In the last match, Mohammad Siraj was not very effective even on a Pacers-friendly pitch.
Siraj has played 7 home Tests this year and has taken just 12 wickets at an average of 42.83. This is in stark contrast to Jasprit Bumrah who has taken 33 wickets in 7 matches. Akash Deep has played 3 Test matches for India so far, taking 8 wickets at an average of 23.12. Akash Deep's batting is also stronger than Siraj's.
5 players including Jurel, Kuldeep will not be part of playing-11 5 players will sit on the bench in the 16 member squad of Team India. Among them, wicketkeepers Dhruv Jurrell, one of Rahul or Gill and Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj and Washington Sundar are more likely to sit out.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
