Ahead of the second Test between India and New Zealand, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate talked about the competition between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan for the spot in the middle order. He also gave an update on the injury status of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as well.
New Zealand won the first Test against India in Bengaluru and the hosts will be eager to level the series at the MCA Stadium in Pune when the second Test begins on October 24.
Ryan ten Doeschate stated on Tuesday that middle-order hitters KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan are in a selection struggle for the second Test against New Zealand here, despite head coach Gautam Gambhir's desire to give the former a long rope.
"Yeah, there's no point in sugarcoating it, there's a fight for a spot. Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test. I went to KL after the last Test (and) said how many balls do you play at (and) miss at? He didn't play at (and) miss at one ball and that's what tends to happen when you're not getting runs.
There are certainly no concerns about KL, he's batting nicely, and he's in a good mental space. But we are certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what's going to be best for the team," Ten Doeschate told the media ahead of the second Test.
Sarfaraz hit a second-innings 150 in the Bengaluru encounter, but Rahul looked unconvincing in both essays. While conceding that it is difficult to keep Rahul out of the Tests, ten Doeschate stated that head coach Gautam Gambhir is "keen to" give him a long rope.
"It's not like we're worried about his form. If you go on just the past three months since Gauti has been in here, he's keen to give him (Rahul) as much rope as we can. We have a lot of faith in him. But at the same time, it's a very competitive environment, with Sarfaraz getting 150 plus runs (222 not out) in the Irani Trophy final. The decision will be what's best for the team, but we'll certainly back all the guys in," he added.
Ten Doeschate also opened up about Rishabh Pant, who had copped a blow on his right knee, which was surgically repaired after his car accident. The Indian assistant coach also spoke about the injury of Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test due to a neck strain.
"Rishabh is pretty good. I think Rohit (Sharma) touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed, he'll be good to keep in the Test as well.
He (Gill) looks so (available for this Test). He has batted last week in Bangalore, he had a few nets, he's got a little bit of discomfort, but I think he'll be good to go for the Test," he added.
(PTI inputs)
