Team India gears up to face New Zealand in the second Test at Pune, but a significant change has been made to the squad. KL Rahul has been dropped from the Playing XI, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. This decision comes after a disappointing performance in the first Test, where Rahul scored a duck and 12 runs. Find out why KL Rahul is missing from today’s Test match against New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma Reveals KL Rahul Dropped
New Zealand’s captain, Tom Latham, won the toss and opted to bat first on what is expected to be a batting-friendly surface. “We’re going to have a bat. The surface is slightly different from last week. Not a lot of grass. It might produce a bit of spin as we expect when we come to these parts of the world,” Latham stated during the toss.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed the changes in his team, stating, “The pitch is a little drier, yes. We understand how important the first 10 overs are. Three changes—Siraj, KL, and Kuldeep miss out. Akash Deep, Washington, and Gill come in.” While Rohit did not elaborate on why Rahul was dropped, it is widely understood that his recent form played a significant role in this decision.
Why is KL Rahul Dropped?
KL Rahul’s recent performances have been underwhelming. In the first Test against New Zealand, he failed to make an impact with scores of 0 and 12. Prior to that, he managed only 106 runs across three innings against Bangladesh. This lack of form has led selectors to make a tough call in hopes of revitalizing the batting lineup.
Shubman Gill returns to the squad after missing the first Test due to injury and will take Rahul’s place in the lineup. Additionally, Sarfaraz Khan has retained his spot after an impressive 150 runs in his last outing.
India Aiming for a Turn-Around
This second Test is crucial for India as they seek to level the series after losing the first match. New Zealand currently leads 1-0 in this three-match series. India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final hinge on their performance in this match.
Rohit Sharma’s team will need to bounce back strongly if they hope to keep their championship aspirations alive. The pressure is on as they face a formidable New Zealand side that has already proven its mettle.
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