Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir's Tactics Leave Anil Kumble 'SURPRISED' For IND vs NZ 2nd Test Match

After winning the toss at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, New Zealand chose to bat in the second Test between India and New Zealand. Given the hard circumstances shown by 1st Test in Bengaluru, India will try to undo New Zealand's pick. As the game runs from October 24 to 28, two cricketing titans are about to engage in battle. Leading players from both sides—Tom Latham for New Zealand and Rohit Sharma for India—will be under close examination for their performance in this pivotal game. The pitch conditions will be very important as they will determine the level of a captivating and fierce game possible.

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Anil Kumble made a huge statement about India’s Playing XI for the 2nd Test vs New Zealand

India changed its Test match lineup in Pune three times. Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul , and Kuldeep Yadav were out, and Washington Sundar was chosen over Axar Patel. Captain Rohit Sharma had underlined earlier in the week that the defeat in Bengaluru would not cause panic, but the major lineup changes raised concerns about the strain the team would be under ahead of this crucial game at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and decided to replace Matt Henry with Mitchell Santner as an additional spinner. India also brought Shubman Gill back on board as the second fast bowler after he missed the first Test due to neck discomfort.

Washington Sundar, who was added to the team after the Bengaluru game, made a noteworthy comeback to the playing XI for the first time since March 2021, beating important spinner for India Axar Patel.

Though he thought the other modifications sensible, former India captain Anil Kumble expressed astonishment at Washington's choice. Kumble also hoped the team management had kept in good contact with the left-out guys. Speaking to the broadcasters, Anil Kumble said: 

"Under pressure, bowled out for 46. You expected things to happen and it didn’t. He (Kuldeep) would have wanted the ball in hand here. He will be disappointed with that," 

"I thought KL Rahul was at No. 6, but he has been moved up and down the order. Yes, on form, Sarfaraz gets the opportunity. In the scheme of things, as long as the messaging for the three missing players is clear, it’s fine," he added.

“Otherwise, I am really surprised that India had to make 3 changes. You really had Axar Patel, who probably won the Test series in India not just with the ball, but with the bat. I am a bit surprised that Washington had come in and straightaway made it to the playing XI.”

India vs New Zealand 2nd Test Playing XI

India XI:  Rohit Sharma , Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli , Rishabh Pant , Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin , Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah .

New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, Will O'Rourke.

What happened in the India vs New Zealand 1st Test in Bengaluru?

Held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, New Zealand won the first Test of the India vs New Zealand series by 8 wickets. Matt Henry took 5/15, and India's first innings came to a score of 46. Notwithstanding the loss, Rishabh Pant 's brave 99 and Sarfaraz Khan's amazing 150 in India's second innings allowed them to record 462. In response, New Zealand boldly pursued the 107-run objective with remarkable efforts from Rachin Ravindra (39) and Will Young (48). With his all-around performance, Rachin Ravindra received Player of the Match, thereby highlighting New Zealand's supremacy in an exciting battle.