Subhayan Chakraborty in Pune
There is intense competition for spots in the Team India middle-order following Sarfaraz Khan’s splendid 150-run knock in Bengaluru, said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. The former Netherlands international spoke at length about how Shubman Gill returning to fitness and Sarfaraz’s roaring form have caused a headache for the Indian team management ahead of the Pune Test against New Zealand, starting Thursday.
Star batsman KL Rahul made only 12 in the first Test against New Zealand, and his place in the playing XI is under the scanner. With Gill set for a comeback and Sarfaraz in incredible form, there’s pressure on Rahul.
“Nothing to sugarcoat. There’s competition and fight for the spot,” ten Doeschate told reporters in Pune. “Sarfaraz was brilliant in Bengaluru. I went to KL after the last game and asked how many did you play-and-miss and there were none apart from those two balls where he got dismissed. He is in a good mental space but we will have to fit in six players out of seven in the middle-order. So yes there’s competition.”
Ten Doeschate didn’t provide any assurance over Rahul’s place in the XI though, whether he will be persisted with or will have to make way for Gill.
“There’s certainly no concerns about KL,” said ten Doeschate. “He is batting nicely, he is in a good mental space. But we are certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what’s going to be best for the team.”
The assistant coach added: “If you go on just the past three months since Gauti has been in here, he is keen to give him (Rahul) as much rope as we can. We have a lot of faith in him. 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 will certainly back all the guys in.”
As for Gill, he is set to return to the team after missing the first Test due to a stiff neck. He will be a key asset for India against New Zealand, especially with the hosts trailing 0-1 in the series. Sharing an update on him, ten Doeschate stated that the youngster has been batting in the nets, as he did in Bengaluru and should be fit for the second Test.
“He has had a slight discomfort. Of course, he batted for a long time in Bengaluru. But he will be fine for this Test,” said ten Doeschate.
Further providing an update on Rishabh Pant, the India assistant coach said that the team management is keeping their fingers crossed for the wicketkeeper-batsman’s availability in the second Test. The southpaw took a blow on his right knee and didn’t keep wickets in Bengaluru.
“He (Pant) should be fine, I reckon. He had slight discomfort on his knee during the last part of his innings but fingers crossed that he will keep wickets here,” ten Doeschate said.
🚨🚨#ShubmanGill looks to be fit for the Pune Test, says Ryan Ten Doeschate while also highlighting the growing competition in the middle order, #RishabhPant and Ashwin’s fitness and more.
@official_fanatic @CricSubhayan #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/eNYETyYrk3
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 22, 2024
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