IND vs NZ 2024: Why is Shubman Gill not playing the first Test match?
The first Test of the three-match series between India and New Zealand finally began on Day 2, as the opening day was washed out due to heavy rains in Bengaluru, the host city.
Meanwhile, the toss and the start of play were advanced by fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled time, and the Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that the team will be without the services of star batter Shubman Gill for the first Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Additionally, India will be batting first, and middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan has replaced Shubman Gill.
While Gill not being a part of the line-up is a big setback for the Indian team, it is important to note that the Punjab-born was not dropped, but rather rested for the game due to a stiffness in his neck.
Coincidentally, New Zealand is also without their regular number 3 batter Kane Williamson, who could not take part in the team as he is still recovering from an injury but will be returning for the second encounter, slated to be held at MCA Stadium, Pune, starting October 24.
Here’s what both the captains said at the toss
Rohit Sharma: We are going to have a bat first. It has been under the covers, and we do understand that it could be slightly sticky early on, but the nature of the pitch is such that you would want to put runs on the board first. You want to get the result as much as we want. We assess where we are, deciding what needs to be done as a team. We have played well in the last few Test matches. Fresh series for us and we want to start well. From the last Test two changes, Gill misses out, and Sarfaraz comes in. Kuldeep comes in for Akash.
Tom Latham: The Wicket has been under covers, so hopefully we can make good use of it early with the ball. A bit of weather around, so we haven’t had a great prep here. Three seamers with Ajaz Patel and we have two all-rounders who bowl spin too.
IND vs NZ 2024, 1st Test Playing XIs
New Zealand: Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, and William O’Rourke.
India: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.