Rishabh Pant’s Recovery Boosts India’s Hopes Ahead of the Second Test Against New Zealand

The India cricket team found it difficult to contain the waves as they suffered a defeat at the hands of New Zealand by eight wickets in the first Test match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bengaluru. This match will be their first Test victory at home after 36 years, an incident that will put the burden of saving the series on the heads of their hosts. While the loss itself was a massive setback, a new worry cropped up when star wicket-keeper batted Rishabh Pant strained his knee, raising doubts over his availability for the remaining matches in the series.

Pant suffered the injury after a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja struck his knee. It was visible that Pant did suffer discomfort. The injury raised alarms, and especially this came as a worry since it was the same knee where a major surgery had been done after Pant had met with a car accident. With Pant going through such traumatic experiences over the past 18 months, the situation is certainly critical. However, to their relief, a glowing report for the Indians appears, as 27-year-old Pant has been given the green signal to play in the second Test, starting October 24 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Today, the news of the recovery of the man who was once on his deathbed will prove to be an added push for India, especially with them trailing 1-0 in the three-match Test series. With an eye on the World Test Championship final, Pant’s role will now have a more significant proportion, what with his daredevilry and knack of turning games around. He is sure to be a huge relief for the team management as well as fans as he fits back into the opening line-up.

Pant played a crucial knock during India’s first Test. He scored 99 runs to form a vital partnership with Sarfaraz Khan in the Indian second innings, which led to the narrow deficit by the hosts, as the Indian batting lineup folded soon after his dismissal, leaving a modest target of 107 runs for New Zealand. There was a mammoth Pant’s dismissal on 99 that proved to be a continuation of the trend of Indian batters who failed to reach a century. That list is not short of notable players, as it also includes MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly.

Pant’s injury situation meant Dhruv Jurel replacing him behind the stumps in the first Test. The youngster did fairly well at the wicketkeeping but couldn’t make up for Pant’s explosive batting prowess. With reports that Pant is fit again, he will likely return to the playing XI for the second Test, giving India a better-balanced team combination.

India goes into the second Test in Pune on the back foot but selection issues lie in two or three spots. The possible return of Shubman Gill, who went back to the team for the first Test after missing it owing to a stiff neck, could well see him coming into the team as a replacement for someone up the order. Sarfaraz Khan made 150 on debut and will be tough to leave out, and KL Rahul is vulnerable to exiting to make way for him. Even in bowling, there could be a rethink-the line-up-and Akash Deep is one of the key contenders to replace Mohammed Siraj, who went wobbly in the first Test.

There is a short, brisk pace here at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, and it should challenge India to throw caution to the wind and go for a three-seamer mode of operation. That would then make ideal use of the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, as well as serve Rohit Sharma with several bowling options.

It will be interesting to see the first Test turn out to be their winning formula and then hope the shortcomings of this game, especially with Pant returning to fitness, would go to the depth of the well-prepared game plan. With that kind of fearless approach and powerhouse stroke play, Pant will carry a huge hope that might turn out to be a game-changer in the remaining fixtures. An opportunity this time to follow Pant and the team’s quest for a series comeback, looking to keep their hopes for the World Test Championship final in the ring, and you can watch live cricket for free on platforms such as Winexch.

FAQ

• How is Rishabh Pant doing ahead of the second Test?

Rishabh Pant has reportedly been declared fit and is likely to be in the starting XI when India takes on New Zealand in the second Test at Pune.

• Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in the first Test. Why was that the case?

Dhruv Jurel was brought in as a replacement for Pant behind the stumps in the first Test due to Pant having a knee injury and being somewhat restricted behind the wickets.

• What are the changes India can look out for in the second Test?

Shubman Gill can be included in the playing XI; possibly at the cost of KL Rahul. Akash Deep can replace Mohammed Siraj as Siraj is in woeful form.

• Which TV channel will telecast the India vs. New Zealand Tests?

To not miss any action from this ongoing Test series, cricket fans can catch live cricket for free on Winexch.