India playing XI for the 2nd Test vs New Zealand | IND vs NZ | KL Rahul dropped, Shubman Gill In

India Playing XI for 2nd Test vs New Zealand – Key Changes and Preview

The pitch at Pune is dry, with little grass on the surface, favoring spin right from the beginning. It’s a black soil surface, similar to what was seen in the first Test in Bangalore. Simon Doull and Dinesh Karthik have suggested that batting first would be the best choice on this surface, with spinners expected to dominate as the game progresses.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bat first, recognizing the advantage of getting runs on the board early on such a surface. For India, the key will be to make early inroads in the first session, especially with the new ball.

One of the major talking points ahead of the 2nd Test is the exclusion of KL Rahul from India's playing XI. After struggling with form in the first Test, Rahul has been replaced by Shubman Gill at the top of the order. This move reflects India's effort to bolster their opening partnership, with Gill bringing fresh momentum. Rahul's omission signals the team management's focus on performance-based selections, especially in a crucial series where India needs to win to bounce back.

India Playing XI:

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rohit Sharma (c)

Shubman Gill

Virat Kohli

Rishabh Pant (w)

Sarfaraz Khan

Ravindra Jadeja

Washington Sundar

Ravichandran Ashwin

Akash Deep

Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand Playing XI:

Tom Latham (c)

Devon Conway

Will Young

Rachin Ravindra

Daryl Mitchell

Tom Blundell (w)

Glenn Phillips

Tim Southee

Mitchell Santner

Ajaz Patel

William O’Rourke

India made three significant changes from the first Test:

Inclusions:

Shubman Gill: Replaces KL Rahul, bringing fresh energy at the top order.

Akash Deep: An exciting fast-bowling addition, replacing Mohammad Siraj.

Washington Sundar: Included to provide balance with both bat and ball, replacing Kuldeep Yadav.

Exclusions

KL Rahul: Dropped after a disappointing first Test performance, paving the way for Gill.

Mohammad Siraj: Left out, giving Akash Deep an opportunity to shine.

Kuldeep Yadav: Washington Sundar’s inclusion brings a spin-bowling all-rounder who offers more batting depth.

These changes reflect India’s intent to shore up their top order and strengthen their bowling attack, especially considering the dry pitch conditions expected to assist spin.

India faces a must-win situation after a tough loss in the first Test. With home conditions and their exceptional record on Indian soil—having not lost a series at home since 2012—India will be eager to bounce back. The inclusion of both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with Washington Sundar, gives India a formidable spin trio, suited to exploit the dry pitch. Akash Deep's pace will add variety, and Jasprit Bumrah will continue leading the pace attack.

India’s batting order is also strong. Rohit Sharma and the young Yashasvi Jaiswal will aim to give the team a strong start, while Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant provide experience in the middle order. Shubman Gill returns, expected to make a mark in this match, especially given the struggles KL Rahul faced in the previous game. Sarfaraz Khan, making his mark in domestic cricket, is also a vital player to watch.

This 2nd Test against New Zealand will test India’s ability to bounce back after losing the first Test. With critical changes in the lineup and a spin-friendly pitch, the match promises to be a gripping contest. For India, securing a win is crucial to keep their home dominance alive, while New Zealand will look to challenge that streak and build on their momentum from the first Test victory