India vs New Zealand: Why Shubman Gill is not part of Indian XI for Bengaluru Test

Shubman Gill missed out of the opening Test against New Zealand after starring in India’s 2-0 series sweep of Bangladesh, with the home team bringing in prolific run-scorer Sarfaraz Khan in his place.

In the other change made to the XI that had defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in remarkable fashion in Kanpur, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav came in place of seamer Akash Deep as India shored up their spin department for the series opener against the Kiwis.

LIVE | India vs New Zealand, 1st Test in Bengaluru, Day 2

India skipper Rohit Sharma did not specify the reason why Gill was sitting out of the Bengaluru Test after opting to bat and mentioning the team changes. However, according to ESPNCricinfo, Gill is not fully fit as he has a stiff neck.

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Sarfaraz had been included in India’s squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, but was ultimately benched as the hosts picked senior batter KL Rahul instead. Sarfaraz, however, smashed an unbeaten 222 for Mumbai in the Irani Cup against Rest of India, and thus forced his way into the XI for the first time since getting his international career off to a memorable start against England earlier this year.

With the Chinnaswamy wicket appearing dry and likely to support spin later in the game, India decided to bring in an extra spinner in Kuldeep, whose last Test appearance was also against England in March.

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New Zealand, meanwhile, went with three seamers and Ajaz Patel as the only spinner. Patel has some support in the spin department from all-rounders Rachin Ravindra (left-arm orthodox) and Glenn Phillips (off-break).

The opening day of the Bengaluru Test was washed out without the toss taking place, as a result of which two sessions have been extended on Day 2.

Playing XIs:

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

New Zealand: Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(wk), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke.