Focus now has shifted to the second test of the ongoing series against New Zealand (IND vs NZ), which is scheduled to play on October 24. The visitors dominated most parts of the first match played in Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswami stadium. The next match will be at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. It’s a must-win match for Team India, as the Kiwis are leading 1-0 in the three-match series. If Rohit Sharma-led India wants to win the series, then they have no option but to grab a win in Pune. There are speculations that Team India can make multiple changes in their first XI.

KL Rahul’s form was a concern; he scored 0 and 12 in the Bengaluru Test, respectively. While Rahul scored only 12 in the second innings, Sarfaraz Khan had scored a century, and an injured Rishabh Pant made an individual 99-run inning. It has been heavily speculated that KL Rahul played his last test match in his Bengaluru, after a viral video where we can see KL touching the surface of M Chinnaswami stadium. If Subhman Gill, who had a stiff neck, is fit to play the upcoming match in Pune, then Rahul can drop from the second match.

Along with KL, Mohammed Siraj’s performance was also under scrutiny after the match in Bengaluru. Jashpreet Bumrah took wickets with new ball, while Siraj failed to do anything special for his team. If reports are to be believed, Pune’s surface is going to be spin-friendly. So, India can go for an extra spinner with Ravichandran Ashwin, Rravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Washington Sundar has joined the national camp after the first test defeat. Rohit can use his spin bowling abilities along with his batting skills. Sundar had already made an impression in both bat and ball in the Ranji Trophy.

Team India Probable playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill/KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav Washington Sundar/ Mohammed Siraj, Jaspreet Bumrah.