Sarfaraz Khan To Replace Injured India Star In Playing XI vs NZ In 1st Test?

15.10.2024 - 11:39 sports.ndtv.com

India batter Shubman Gill may miss the first Test against New Zealand. The 25-year-old has reportedly complained about neck and shoulder pain, and informed the team management about this on Monday, as per a report by India Today.

The report further states that a final call on Gill's selection will be made on the morning of the Test match, on Wednesday, October 16.

Gill's absence could open the door for Sarfaraz Khan or Dhruv Jurel to find their way back into India's playing XI. Gill has made the No.

3 spot in Test cricket his own in recent months. He starred with a century against Bangladesh in the first Test of the recently-concluded series.

cricket India Cricket Team Shubman Gill New Zealand India Bangladesh

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed dissapointment with Team India's batting during their shambolic loss to New Zealand in the second Test at Pune, which led to the hosts' first-ever series loss at home in 12 years. Indian batters got the taste of their own medicine as the Kiwi spin attack led by Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in the match, trapped the hosts in their own spin trap and defeated India by 113 runs to secure the series 2-0 with a game to go.

India Eye Historic First In Pursuit Of Never-Seen-Before Win vs New Zealand In Pune Test

The Indian cricket team is staring at a rare Test series loss after being outplayed by New Zealand in the first two matches of a three-game rubber. After suffering a shock eight-wicket defeat to the Kiwis in Bengaluru, India trail 0-1 in the series. In the ongoing second Test, the Rohit Sharma-led side conceded a 103-run lead in the first innings, before New Zealand extended their lead to 301 by the end of Day 2. New Zealand added just 57 runs to their overnight score of 198/5, setting India a target of 359.

Sarfaraz Khan To Travel For Australia Tests? Ex-India Star Says "No Reason..."

On the back of his maiden Test century, India batter Sarfaraz Khan retained his place in the team for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. With Shubman Gill making a return after recovering from a stiff neck, India backed Sarfaraz to retain his place, with the team management instead dropping out-of-form batter KL Rahul. Sarafarz hit 150 in the second innings of the 1st Test in Bengaluru, which India lost by eight wickets to the Kiwis last week.

"Gone Are The Days...": Ex-New Zealand Star Launches Scathing Criticism Of India Batting

Former New Zealand cricketer and broadcaster Simon Doull lambasted Indian batters for their poor batting performance against spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips during the second Test against New Zealand at Pune, saying that it is a misconception that modern Indian players are good against tweakers, rather they are as vulnerable as overseas batters on good turning tracks. A shambolic batting performance during the first inning of the Pune Test might have just put the hosts India at a rare risk of a series loss home and has put their 12-year, 18 series-long unbeaten record at in jeopardy.

KL Rahul Dropped For 2nd Test vs New Zealand. 'Bold' Decision Leaves Internet Split

The Indian cricket team decided to drop KL Rahul as Shubman Gill made his return to the playing XI for the second Test encounter against New Zealand in Pune. Rahul has struggled for form in the past few matches and his poor show in the first Test in Bengaluru did not help his cause. With Gill coming back after missing the first Test due to a stiff neck, the choice was always between Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. However, with Sarfaraz slamming an impressive 150 in Bengaluru, the team management decided to drop Rahul. The decision left the internet split with fans coming up with conflicting reactions to the development.

Gujarat Titans Retentions Confirmed For IPL 2025? Social Media Post Leaves Fans Buzzing

There has been a lot of speculation over who the franchises will be retaining ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction but not much has come out in the open when it comes to Gujarat Titans. The 2022 champions had a tough outing in IPL 2024 as they missed Mohammed Shami who was ruled out due to injury. The other thing that haunted them was the absence of Hardik Pandya who completed a sensational trade to Mumbai Indians. However, fans were left buzzing after a social media post from the franchise hinted at their potential retentions for IPL 2025. Gujarat Titans posted three pictures of Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan with a cryptic one-line caption. "All over the opponents like a Shub-Rash," the caption read.