Shubman Gill is not playing in 1st Test against New Zealand. (Picture Credit: PTI)
According to Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill is not 100% fit, which is why he is not playing in the first Test against New Zealand.
Star Indian batter Shubman Gill is not playing in the first Test against New Zealand. While speaking to Ravi Shastri during the toss, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said that Gill is not 100% fit, which is why he is left out, and in his place, Sarfaraz Khan will play in the series opener at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“From the last Test two changes: Gill misses out, not 100%, so Sarfaraz comes in and Kuldeep in for Akash Deep,” Rohit said.
India has also left out Akash Deep from the playing XI for the first Test, and in his place, Kuldeep Yadav will play for India. The 29-year-old spinner picked up a five-wicket haul for India in his last Test against England at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala from March 7-9, 2024.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand: Tom Latham (C), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William ORourke
