Watch: Shubman Gill hits the nets right after Bengaluru Test defeat, eyes return to India XI

India National Cricket Team batter Shubman Gill was back in the nets after missing the first game of the three-match series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. The opener between the teams took place at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Shubman Gill, who has set the stage on fire at No.3 for India in Tests, wasn't part of the playing XI for the Bengaluru Test. The batter was deemed unfit to take part in the game as he had a stiff neck and hence didn't get to play, which in itself was a blow for the team, especially with the kind of form he has been in.

But Gill is likely to be back for the second Test against New Zealand, and the batter himself gave a hint about that. As soon as the first game of the series ended, the young batter was padded up and was seen batting in the nets on the pitch, where the game took place.

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Even India captain Rohit Sharma, during the press conference, confirmed that Gill is doing well now. This nothing but indicates that he will take his spot back in the team from the second game, which will be played in Pune from 24th October.

Gill was seen batting comfortably in the nets as he checked his defense. The videos and the pictures of the batting doing practice after the first Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team went viral on the internet as soon as he was out there.

Shubman Gill bats in nets ahead of the second Test against New Zealand

Here are pictures and videos:

Shubman Gill is working hard in nets after the end of the first Test. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/fVQ7p4jUT2

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 20, 2024

Shubman is gearing up for his return. #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/KaOCz8cY0k

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 20, 2024

Tell me the bigger team centred player than Gill.
I will deactivate my account.
I mean every player now has gone to hotel and he is practicing hard.pic.twitter.com/Fm6m9jyCmi

— Sachin Tichkule (@squarecut217) October 20, 2024

Shubman Gill, who has replaced Cheteshwar Pujara as India’s No. 3 batter in Tests, has scored three centuries in eight Tests played so far in 2024. He will be extremely important for the team going into the series ahead followed by the Australia tour.

Sarafarz Khan sets the stage on fire in the absence of Shubman Gill

With Gill getting ruled out of the first Test, Sarfaraz Khan was allowed to play, and he grabbed it with both hands. The right-hander, after bagging a duck in the first innings, made sure he doubled up the effort in the second innings.

Sarfaraz Khan slammed a magnificent century, which was his first in international cricket, and made sure he converted it into a big ton. The right-hander ended with an inning of 150 runs off 195 balls. He batted with a strike rate of around 77 and also slammed 18 fours and 3 sixes in his innings.

Selection dilemma for India as Shubman Gill set to return for second Test

India National Cricket Team suffered a thrashing 8-wicket loss in the first Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. They would now be keen to make a comeback in the second game and level the series by the margin of 1-1.

But going into the second Test, they will be having a selection dilemma. Shubman Gill might return and with the kind of outing Sarfaraz Khan had in Bengaluru, it would be difficult to drop him. The sword now points at KL Rahul, who struggled in both innings and was criticized a lot. It remains to be seen who Gill will replace in the team for the second match.