Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are almost fully fit for the Pune IND vs NZ 2nd Test. India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate gave this indication two days before the Test. India is also hoping that Pant is fit for wicketkeeping as well. India’s assistant coach Deshkate has also talked about Ashwin’s fitness.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test, squad planning
On the second day of the Bengaluru Test, Pant injured his knee while doing a stumping. After this, Dhruv Jurel took over the responsibility of wicketkeeping for the entire match. However, Pant came to bat and played an excellent innings of 99 runs. But in the second innings, Jurel again came for wicketkeeping and did wicketkeeping throughout the innings. At the same time, Gill could not play the Bengaluru Test due to stiffness in the neck.
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Deshkate said, “Rishabh is fine and Rohit (Sharma) also told you the same the previous day. Although he had some pain in his knee, but we are hoping that he will be able to keep wicket in the Test. Gill did nets in Bengaluru, I hope he will also be fully fit for the Test.”
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About Gill, Deshkate said, “Gill batted during the practice session last week. He had a minor problem but I think he is fine now and is ready to play the next Test.”
Pant’s Fitness Consideration in the IND vs NZ Test Series
It is certain that the Indian team will be a little more cautious about Pant. He had a car accident in December 2022 and during that time he suffered a serious knee injury. Even though Pant scored 99 runs during the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, it was clearly visible while taking runs that Pant was having some problems. After this, captain Rohit also said that his team would have to be cautious towards Pant.
During the first practice session in Pune, Dhruv Jurel was the first wicketkeeper to go for the keeping drills. Rishabh Pant was watching Jurel’s keeping practice from a distance. During the fourth innings of the Bengaluru Test, R Ashwin bowled only two overs. After this, there was a discussion about whether Ashwin was injured. However, now complete information has been received in this matter and he is not injured.
Deshkate said about Ashwin, “Ashwin is absolutely fine. I know that he bowled only two overs during the second innings. But his speed and rhythm are absolutely fine.”
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