KL Rahul Or Sarfaraz Khan? Net Session Gives MASSIVE Hint On Who Will Be In India Playing XI For 2nd Test Vs New Zealand
Photo : AP/PTI
India are all set to take on New Zealand in the second Test of the three-match series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune from October 24. India had lost the first match unexpectedly and would be looking to win this second match in order to avoid a first series defeat at home in 12 years. All eyes will be on what the India playing XI would look like, and especially if Sarfaraz Khan retains his place in the XI after his brilliant 150 in the second innings. However, there are also specualtions if KL Rahul would play after a series of poor performances at no.6.
Sarfaraz Khan To Be Dropped, KL Rahul To Be Retained? Net Session Gives BIG Hint
Sarfaraz Khan replaced the injured Shubman Gill in the first Test against New Zealand. He scored a brilliant 150 in the second innings. However, he might be dropped for the second Test against the Kiwis in Punem as hinted in the final net session before the match, with Gill's imminent return.
Sarfaraz was nowhere to be seen in the practice session of India, as according to a report by Hindustan Times, he was in Mubai to spend time with his newborn. On the other hand, KL Rahul batted for hours in the nets, and even asked India's bowling coach Morne Morkel to bowl at him during the net. This could hint as the possible inclusion of Rahul in the playing XI.
Competition Between KL Rahul And Sarfaraz Khan For Playing XI Sport: Ryan Ten Doeschate
Earlier, Team India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had stated that there is a fight for a spot in the India playing XI for the second Test between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan.
"Yeah, there's no point in sugarcoating it. There's a fight for a spot (between KL and Sarfaraz)," ten Doeschate said.
"Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test. I went to KL after the last Test and said: 'how many balls did you play and miss at?' He didn't play and miss at one ball and that's what tends to happen when you're not getting runs. He got the two balls in the game; one caught down the leg side and one that he managed to nick. So, there's certainly no concerns about KL. He's batting nicely, he's in a good mental space, but yeah, we're 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," he added.
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