Following India’s defeat to New Zealand, the hosts will likely make a few changes to their XI for the second Test, beginning on October 24 in Pune.
Openers
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rohit and Jaiswal are certainties in the XI. The captain averages 34.43 in Test cricket this year and will be eager to convert his starts into a big score in the crucial match, where India’s winning streak at home will be at stake.
Jaiswal, arguably India’s finest Test batter at the moment, averages 60.23 in his 12-match career. He has made three hundreds and seven fifties and has been sensational at home.
Middle-order
Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul
Sarfaraz Khan, who made his maiden hundred in the first Test, standing tall for India when they were pushed to the corner, might have to miss out. While winning the New Zealand Test series will be the primary area of focus, India will also have the upcoming Australia tour in mind, giving the first-choice players as many games as possible in the lead-up to the tour.
Gill, who was out of the Bengaluru Test due to a stiff neck, thus, will return if he is given the fitness clearance. Gill, who made his debut in the last series in Australia, faced a blip in form thereafter but he has managed to cement his place in the side with an average of 50.92 this year, including three hundreds. He has also played 17 of his 27 Tests overseas and while he can be susceptible against pace - not too dissimilar to Sarfaraz - his experience will give him the edge as India build towards their big series down under.
