Shubman Gill missed the first Test in Bengaluru, while Pant suffered a knee injury during the match.
India lost the first Test to New Zealand in Bengaluru, and star batter Shubman Gill missed the game after experiencing a stiff neck. However, according to India head coach Gautam Gambhir, Gill has recovered enough and is likely to return to the playing XI for the second Test.
“Gill was injured in the last game. Due to the injury, he couldn’t play, but he has been in great touch. We will decide tomorrow and whatever team we decide, they'll go out to win,” Gambhir told reporters on the eve of the Pune Test.
The 25-year-old's absence was noticed in the first Test when India was bowled out for 46 in the first innings, their third-lowest total in Test history. Despite a good second-inning performance, India lost the match by eight wickets.
Indian team’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also said Gill's fitness has improved.
"He looks available for the next game. There was some discomfort, but he batted for long sessions in the nets at Bengaluru. I think he’ll be fine to play in Pune,” he had said on Tuesday.
During the same press conference on Wednesday, Gambhir spoke about Rishabh Pant’s knee injury as well. Pant had been hit on his right knee during New Zealand's first innings and had to leave the field, with Dhruv Jurel taking over the keeping duties.
Though Pant came out to bat in the second innings and scored a valiant 99, his fitness has been closely monitored since the Bengaluru Test, where he took knee injections to manage pain.
He didn’t come out to keep wickets in New Zealand's second innings, with Jurel doing the duties once again.
Gautam Gambhir provided a significant update on Rishabh Pant’s fitness ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, reassuring fans about the star wicketkeeper-batter’s availability.
“He’s absolutely fine, and he’ll keep wickets tomorrow,” Gambhir confirmed during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had provided an update earlier on Tuesday, stating that Pant had experienced some discomfort towards the end of his running movements but was expected to be ready.
“He had slight discomfort in his knee when he reached full sprint, but fingers crossed, he’ll keep wickets,” said ten Doeschate, expressing confidence in Pant’s recovery.
India will aim to level the series in Pune and will hope to keep their unbeaten Test series streak alive.
(PTI inputs)