Watch: Shubman Gill, Akash Deep hit nets immediately after India’s defeat to New Zealand in first Test

In-form batter Shubman Gill missed the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru due to a stiff neck. The 25-year-old hit a crucial century against Bangladesh in Chennai and was expected to play a huge role against New Zealand in the three-match Test series. However, he had to sit out because of the pain as Sarfaraz Khan replaced him in the playing XI. As things stand, Gill recovered well, is back in practice, and will likely feature in the second Test in Pune.

Watch the video below:

Pacer Akash Deep was seen bowling to Shubman in the nets. He missed the Bengaluru Test as the team management decided to play an extra spinner in the form of Kuldeep Yadav. That hurt the team very much as India captain Rohit Sharma missed the service of an extra pacer in the first Test. 

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It’s unclear if Akash will be returning in the second Test. The surface in Pune favours the spinners and the team management can back the same set of bowlers. In that case, the Bengal pacer will have to wait for his opportunity. The same cannot be said about Gill, who might replace either Sarfaraz or KL Rahul in the playing XI.

Sarfaraz, who replaced Gill in Bengaluru, made 150 runs in the second innings, which might seal his spot in the playing XI, especially when Rahul flopped. However, it won’t be surprising if the team management backs Rahul keeping the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in mind. It’s a decision that the captain and the coach must take very cautiously as India are trailing 0-1 in the three-match series.

Meanwhile, Rohit lauded Sarfaraz for stepping up in the absence of Shubman. His partnership of 177 runs with Rishabh Pant kept India in the race but since their dismissals, hardly anything went in team India’s favour.

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“Anyone who gets an opportunity will have to try and make an impact. It's always nice to have players waiting. It was unfortunate that Shubman missed the game but Sarfaraz took this chance,” Rohit said in the press conference as quoted by RevSportz.