Shubman Gill missed the India vs. New Zealand (IND vs NZ) first Test match due to a stiff neck. His fitness remained a talking point as the India batting line-up collapsed in the first innings, managing to score only 46 runs for ten wickets. The Indian think tank had to make some changes in their batting line-up. Sarfaraz Khan made his way to the first eleven, scored his first international hundred, and Virat Kohli was sent to number three to feel up Shubhman Gill’s batting position in test cricket.
In Shubhman’s absence, Virat has to play as the number 3 batsman. He previously batted in the position on several Test matches and managed to make a positive impression. KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan was there, ready to serve the team as the number three batsman. Team management relied on veteran Kohli for the vital spot, and Gill’s replacement, Sarfaraz, batted at number 4. Both Virat and Sarfaraz failed to score a run in the first inning of the Bengaluru Test. But they fought back in the second inning; Virat scored 70 and Sarfaraz 150.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was questioned about Shubhman Gill’s current fitness status in the after-match press conference, the match that New Zealand won by 8 wickets. Rohit said, “Shubman Gill looks fine at the moment.”
Now the question is, if Shubhman Gill is ready to play the second Test, will there be any change in team India’s starting XI? Sarfaraz was the replacement for Gill in the first match, who scored an hundred and helped his team to fight back. Virat clearly not at his best at number 3, Sarfaraz made his mark, Rishabh Pant fought like a warrior, and only KL Rahul failed to make an impression in Bengaluru. Rahul scored 0 and 12 runs in the first and second innings, respectively.
There was no epic victory on the last day of the first match of the India vs. New Zealand test series. New Zealand defeated India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. On the fifth day, New Zealand picked up the required runs to an easy win. The Kiwis took a 0-1 lead in the three-match Test series.