India faces New Zealand in the second Test at Pune, but the team will be without fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. This decision follows a disappointing performance in the first Test, where Siraj struggled to make an impact.
Mohammed Siraj Dropped for the Second Test
New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bat first on a surface expected to favour batters. “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 explained during the toss. Find out why Mohammed Siraj is missing from today’s Test match against New Zealand.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed Siraj’s exclusion, 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 specify the reason for Siraj’s drop, it is understood that his recent form led to this decision.
Why is Mohammed Siraj Dropped for the Second Test?
In his last seven Test matches at home, Siraj has taken only 12 wickets. His performance in the first Test against New Zealand was particularly disappointing; he took just two wickets for 84 runs in the first innings and went wicketless in the second. This lack of effectiveness contributed to India’s loss, putting additional pressure on the team.
Akash Deep has been brought into the squad as Siraj’s replacement. The medium pacer has made a strong impression in his brief career, taking eight wickets in just three matches. He was initially left out of the first Test due to Siraj’s seniority, but now has an opportunity to showcase his skills on a larger stage.
India Aiming for a Turn-Around
New Zealand currently leads the three-match series 1-0 after their victory in the first Test. India is under pressure to bounce back, as their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final depend on this match’s outcome.
Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of this game for India. “When you play a Test match like that, the first session didn’t go our way. But we batted well in the second innings. We take a lot of positives from that and see how we can turn things around here. Always want to find ways to get back into the Test match when you’re behind.,” he stated. The team aims to regain momentum and level the series against a formidable New Zealand side.
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