India’s Test specialists Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have come under the scanner for their low scores in the drawn first Test against New Zealand at Green Park, Kanpur.

While Rahane made 35 and 4 across the two innings in Kanpur, Pujara registered scores of 26 and 22. Both of them are going through a lean phase for some time now.

In fact, Rahane’s Test average dropped below 40 during the England tour earlier this year whereas Pujara hasn’t hit a ton in the longest format since January 2019.

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Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, however, India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has defended the duo, saying they are one inning away from returning to form.

"I think both with Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, they have enough experience behind them. They have played enough cricket and we also know as a team that they are one inning away from coming back into form. As a team, everyone is behind them and backing them. We know the value they bring to the team. They have played enough cricket to understand what is expected out of them," Mhambrey said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday (December 1).

Ishant Sharma failed to take a wicket in the Kanpur Test but Mhambrey reckons that the veteran pacer needs a couple of games to regain his rhythm as he has not played enough cricket this year.

"Ishant has not played much cricket for a long time. He hasn't played in the IPL and World Cup. That does make a difference, we are working on it. He has got enough experience under his belt, it makes a difference to have him in the dressing room. He is a great help. He needs a couple of games under his belt to regain his rhythm."

Providing an update on wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, who struggled with a stiff neck in the opening Test, Mhambrey said: "We will take a call closer to the game. I think the physios are in touch with head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Virat Kohli. But obviously whatever he has been through, fabulous effort from him to bat like that."

Team India got nine Kiwis wickets but failed to dislodge the last pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel as the visitors managed to eke out a thrilling draw in Kanpur.

"Honestly, there are many positives we can take from the first Test. Obviously, we did not win the match, it did not happen but very happy with the effort. It was not an easy wicket, we were unlucky at times. There was not much bounce on the wicket, a couple of edges did not carry, had that happened, it would have been a different result. Overall extremely happy with the effort everyone put on that wicket," said Mhambrey.

The second Test will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from December 3.

(With ANI inputs)