IND vs NZ 2021: Once We Land In Mumbai, We Will Decide On Our Playing XI For The Second Test: Vikram Rathour

Team India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour said that the team management will decide the playing XI for the second Test in Mumbai itself.

India are currently playing New Zealand in the first Test in Kanpur and need nine more wickets on the final day to win the first Test on Monday.

Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have been rested for the first Test, will return to the side in the next game.

We will get to that point when we reach Mumbai: Vikram Rathour

Rathour said that they are yet to think on the team for the second Test in Mumbai but currently they aim on winning the first match.

“Once we land in Mumbai, we will take that call, what our playing XI is going to be,” Rathour said in a press conference after Day 4.

“The captain coming back in will happen in Mumbai, I understand. We will get to that point when we reach Mumbai. At this point we are focused on this game. There is still a day to go, and a game to be won. So we are really focused on this game,” he added.

Vikram Rathour defends Ajinkya Rahane-Cheteshwar Pujara

The spotlight is once again on senior Indian batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara after once again failing to stand up and score big runs.

But Rathour downplayed the criticism against the duo and strongly believes they will make a comeback. 

“Of course, you want the top-order to contribute but cricketers (Pujara and Rahane) you mentioned have played 80 (79 for Rahane) and 90 Tests (91 Test for Pujara),” Rathour said.

“Of course, to play that many games, they must have done well for us. We understand that both of them are going through a lean phase but we understand that they have both played very, very important knocks for us in the past. We are pretty sure that they are going to come back and play important knocks for us,” he added.

Debutant Shreyas Iyer top-scored for India in the second innings as well to help India set a target of 284.

New Zealand need 280 runs more to win the first Test with nine wickets in hand. Tom Latham (2*) is batting with William Somerville batting with him as the Nightwatchman. 

Also Read: 3 Indian Players Who Could Be Benched For The 2nd Test vs New Zealand When Virat Kohli Arrives