Prithvi Shaw missed a training session due to a swelling on his left foot but India head coach Ravi Shastri confirmed that the India opener was fit for the 2nd Test against New Zealand that will begin from Saturday in Christchurch.
In absence of Rohit Sharma, Shaw opened for India alongside Mayank Agarwal in the first Test in Wellington. However, the young opener was not among runs in the opening Test, getting dismissed cheaply in both his outings.
Tim Southee got him out for 16 with an unplayable delivery in the first innings, while the Indian batsman also found Trent Boult’s short ball difficult to negotiate when he was on 14 in the second essay.
And with Shaw in an injury scare, there were speculations of Shubman Gill opening for India in the 2nd Test.
“Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin, we will take that call tomorrow in the morning. Prithvi is ready to go (after recovering from an injury scare),” said Shastri in the pre-match press conference.
Ashwin was picked up ahead of Ravindra Jadeja for the Wellington Test and the right-arm off-spinner picked up 3 wickets in the two innings. However, on a pitch where the India batsmen failed to perform, Ashwin could only make a 4-run contribution with the bat.
“He is a world-class bowler, there is no doubt about it but we have to make sure that we pick the right side for the right conditions. I think he has bowled well over the years, if anything, he would be disappointed with his batting, I think he will improve,” Shastri added.
After losing to bat and put in to bat first, India were completely outplayed in the first Test against New Zealand, suffering a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of hosts. This was India’s first defeat since the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship last year.
“It is the red ball, we cannot replicate the white-ball performance. Especially in New Zealand and England, conditions are pretty similar. We are here not to give excuses, we were outplayed. A shakeup like that is good because when you are winning all the time, you will have a closed or fixed mindset. There is an opportunity to learn, you are mentally prepared to counter the conditions. It is a good lesson and the boys are up for the challenge,” Shastri said.
Jasprit Bumrah was not at his usual best in the first Test as he picked a solitary wicket in the Wellington. There are also many questions raised on the Indian pacer’s form since his return to the national side from a back injury.
Answering those concerns around Bumrah, Shastri said, “Bumrah is very close to getting a five-for or a six-for. It can happen tomorrow. Similarly with Shami (Mohammed) so nothing to worry.”
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