India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stated that Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are likely to play for the second test against New Zealand in Pune. Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, Ryan also mentioned that Pant may return to action as the wicket keeper after the last test due to injury. During the second day of the first test against New Zealand, Pant hurt his knee when he tried to stump Devon Conway. Later, he failed to catch the ball due to injury. He immediately left the pitch after flinching in agony.
Pant gave the gloves to Dhruv Jurel, who maintained them for the remainder of the first innings and the final 27.4 overs of the second innings for New Zealand. Gill, on the other hand, was unable to play in the Bengaluru test due to a stiff neck. Gill’s presence was quite a blow for the team as Virat Kohli failed to score after coming at no. 3, and the team lost the match with eight wickets.
Both look pretty good to be back on the pitch: Doeschate
Doeschate, during the pre-match pressure, mentioned that both Gill and Pant look fine to be back on the pitch. So, the team is keeping its fingers crossed for the final report.
“Rishabh’s pretty good,” Doeschate said. “I think Rohit Sharma touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed, he’ll be good to keep on this test as well.” About Gill, he said, “He’s batted last week in Bangalore, he had a few nets. He’s got a little bit of discomfort, but I think he will be good to go for the Test.”
R Ashwin fit to play the next test: Ryan
Ten Doeschate also mentioned that R Ashwin, who only bowled two overs during New Zealand’s first-Test chase of 107, is in good condition. India isn’t making too much of the fact that Ashwin gave up 94 runs in 16 overs for just one wicket in New Zealand’s opening innings as Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra attacked him. “Ashwin’s fine. He’s absolutely fine,” Ten Doeschate said. “He bowled nicely. I know he bowled only two overs in the second innings, but it looked like his pace and his rhythm were back to where they needed to be.”