India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate on October 22 gave an update on Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill’s fitness ahead of the second Test against New Zealand starting on October 24 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Gill missed the first Test due to stiffness in his neck whereas Pant was hit on the knee while wicketkeeping. Pant did not keep the wickets after getting injured on Day 2. However, he batted in the second innings and scored 99 to help India get rid of the trail.
There is a still a question mark over Pant’s availability. Even in the post-match press conference, skipper Rohit Sharma had said that there is a need to be ‘extra careful’ with Pant considering he had several surgeries after the unfortunate car accident.
"Rishabh is pretty good. 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 in the Test as well," Doeschate said in the press conference.
Meanwhile, Gill is likely to make a comeback in the second Test. He was seen practicing on Day 4 and Day 5 of the Bengaluru Test as well.
"He (Gill) looks so (available for this Test). He has batted last week in Bangalore, he had a few nets, he's got a little bit of discomfort, but I think he'll be good to go for the Test," he added.
Doeschate on Sarfaraz vs Rahul
In Gill’s absence, Sarfaraz Khan got a chance in the side and scored 150 in the second innings. Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been under the pump as he registerd scores of 0 and 12 in the series opener. While Doeschate said that the head coach Gautam Gambhir wants to give Rahul a long rope, he admitted that there is a competitive environment for a spot in the middle order.
"It's not like we're worried about his form. If you go on just the past three months since Gauti has been in here, he's keen to give him (Rahul) as much rope as we can. We have a lot of faith in him," the former Netherlands all-rounder said.
"But at the same time, it's a very competitive environment, with Sarfaraz getting 150 plus runs (222 not out) in the Irani Trophy final. The decision will be what's best for the team, but we'll certainly back all the guys in," he added.
