Team India batsman KL Rahul has sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and has been ruled out of the upcoming 2-match Test series against New Zealand.
He will now undergo rehabilitation at NCA in preparation for the series against South Africa scheduled next month. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Suryakumar Yadav as KL Rahul’s replacement.
The first Test between India and New Zealand begins on November 25, 2021, in Kanpur.
‘DRAVID’S EXPERIENCE WILL HELP’
India batter Cheteshwar Pujara feels new head coach Rahul Dravid’s rich experience in the longer format will definitely help the Test side grow as a team.
After securing a thumping T20I series win over New Zealand, India under the coaching of Dravid will face New Zealand in the two-match Test series which gets underway from Thursday. Dravid, who has played 164 Tests for India, will offer a great amount of guidance to the young guns, according to Pujara.
“After the WTC we all were hurt but we came back strongly in England and we played very good cricket. Now the team is back together, confident and new coach Rahul bhai is there,” said Pujara in the virtual press conference.
“That will help most of the players, especially the young players, who have worked with Rahul bhai during the Under-19 and India A series.
“And even someone like us, who are experienced players. I have played with Rahul bhai and worked with Rahul bhai during the A series. All of us are looking for his guidance. The amount of experience he has as a player and coach that will help the team,” he added.
Pujara isn’t concerned about the New Zealand pace attack having already weathered the storm in 2017.
“We have our strategies prepared against Neil Wagner and we have also played him in 2017, so we know how he bowls in Indian conditions so we will plan accordingly,” said Pujara.
The India batter is a key cog in the batting wheel of the Indian team but has failed to score a Test ton in recent times.
‘RAHANE JUST ONE INNINGS AWAY FROM RETURNING TO FORM’
Pujara backed stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane to get back among the runs in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
India and New Zealand will lock horns in the two-match Test series which gets underway from Thursday. Pujara said Rahane is just one hundred away from roaring back to form as the batter has been working hard in the nets ahead of the series.
“He (Rahane) is a great player, there are times when a player goes through a tough time and that’s a part of this game. There can be ups and downs but I feel he is a confident player. He is someone who works hard on his game and I am sure he is just one innings away from gaining back the form,” said Pujara in the virtual press conference.
“Once he gets back to scoring runs, he will be back in form. He has been working hard in the nets. So he is a good touch, hoping that he scores big runs in this series,” he added.
Neil Wagner, Ross Taylor and New Zealand head coach Gary Stead have admitted that spin will be a major threat to the Kiwis but Pujara said India will not take the visitors lightly going into the Test.
“We have that advantage but we can’t take the New Zealand team lightly at all. They have played excellent cricket and they are a good side in all formats, so we will stick to our game plans.
“There will be strategies but overall, we will focus on our game plans, New Zealand is a competitive team and we won’t take them lightly at all,” Pujara said while replying to a query from ANI.
Earlier in the day, Stead informed that all New Zealand players are available for selection for the first Test which gets underway from Thursday. The first Test between India and New Zealand begins on Thursday in Kanpur.
India’s Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.