Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant fit to play the second Test against New Zealand?

India has overcome all the potential injury scares within the squad ahead of the second Test against New Zealand. The first India vs New Zealand witnessed the hosts playing without their top batter Shubman Gill. The young batter complained of a stiff neck ahead of the series opener in Bengaluru. Consequently, Sarfaraz Khan earned a spot in the Playing 11 as Gill sought rest for his neck and shoulder issue. During the match, which fared mostly out of favour for India, wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant endured a blow on his knee. The injury rendered Pant unable to continue his wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match.

Indian batting coach confirms the availability of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant for the second India vs New Zealand Test

India sustained an unprecedented setback at Chinnaswamy as New Zealand restricted them to their lowest-ever recorded Test score at home. In a rain-marred clash, India opened the match by opting to bat first. However, the batting line-up couldn't sustain the pace attack by New Zealand as they bundled at an unfortunate score of 46. While the team tried to redeem their batting display in the second innings, the century by Sarfaraz Khan and a splendid 99-run stand by Rishabh Pant didn’t prove enough for India to pull the match into their favour.

Apart from the loss, the first Test cast a shadow on the availability of Rishabh Pant in the remaining clashes. The wicket-keeper was hit on his knee by the red-ball while collecting the spin bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Pant appeared to be in severe pain as the rogue ball targeted the same knee which required surgery after the unfortunate car accident of 2022. While the 26-year-old returned to bat after the blow, he could not continue in the wicket-keeping position. Dhruv Jurel joined the field as the backup wicket-keeping option.

As India prepared for a redemption in the second India vs New Zealand Test in Pune, it was speculated that Dhruv Jurel will join the Playing 11. However, now India’s batting coach, Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that both Gill and Pant have triumphed over their respective injuries. The former Netherland player expressed that Pant is fit to keep wickets in the Pune Test for India, ruling out Dhruv Jurel from the Playing 11 contention. Moreover, Gill will return to the team to reclaim his batting spot at no. 3.

"Everyone is really well. There wasn't too much bowling in the first Test. The fast bowlers are all good. Rishabh is pretty good. He was having a little bit of discomfort the other day with the movement of his knee but fingers crossed, he'll be good to keep in the Test (in Pune)," ten Doechate said on Tuesday. “He has batted well in Bengaluru and has had a few hits. He had some discomfort but he looks good to go," he added about Gill.