India vs New Zealand: Second Test Preview
KL Rahul’s Position in Question
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes KL Rahul should be benched if Shubman Gill is fit for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Gill missed the first Test due to neck stiffness, and India lost by eight wickets, marking their first home defeat to New Zealand since 1988.
Virat Kohli’s Batting Order
Manjrekar suggests that if Gill is unfit, Virat Kohli should bat at number four, a position where he has historically performed better. Kohli has scored 7,355 runs at an average of 52.53 in this position, compared to his lower average at number three.
KL Rahul’s Performance
KL Rahul has struggled in Tests, averaging 25.70 since 2022. His success has primarily been as an opener, with 2,551 runs at an average of 34.94. Manjrekar proposes moving Rahul to number three to help him regain form.
Washington Sundar Joins the Squad
All-rounder Washington Sundar has been added to the squad for the second and third Tests. Sundar recently impressed with a 152-run innings in the Ranji Trophy, showcasing his potential as both a batter and a spinner.
India’s Squad for the Tests
The squad includes Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, and Washington Sundar.
Doubts Revealed
Sanjay Manjrekar -: Sanjay Manjrekar is a former Indian cricketer who played for the Indian national team. He is now a cricket commentator and analyst.
KL Rahul -: KL Rahul is an Indian cricketer who plays for the Indian national team. He is known for his batting skills and has played in various formats of the game.
Shubman Gill -: Shubman Gill is a young Indian cricketer who is considered a talented batsman. He plays for the Indian national team and has shown promise in international cricket.
Pune Test -: The Pune Test refers to a cricket match played in Pune, a city in India. It is part of a series of matches called Test matches, which are played over several days.
New Zealand -: New Zealand is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. In cricket, it has a national team that competes internationally, including against India.
Virat Kohli -: Virat Kohli is a famous Indian cricketer and former captain of the Indian national team. He is known for his excellent batting skills and records.
Washington Sundar -: Washington Sundar is an Indian cricketer who plays for the national team. He is an all-rounder, meaning he can both bat and bowl.
Ranji performance -: Ranji performance refers to a player’s performance in the Ranji Trophy, which is a domestic cricket tournament in India. It is an important competition for Indian cricketers.
Rohit Sharma -: Rohit Sharma is an Indian cricketer and the current captain of the Indian national team in some formats. He is known for his powerful batting.
Jasprit Bumrah -: Jasprit Bumrah is an Indian cricketer known for his fast bowling. He is a key player in the Indian national team, especially in Test matches.