At Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, India is now playing New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series. Shubman Gill was noticeably absent when the playing XI was revealed. He was not involved in the game because he sprained his neck and was unable to get well in time to participate. Thus, Sarfaraz Khan entered the playing XI in his stead. However, Sarfaraz batted at number four in lieu of Kohli, while Virat Kohli stepped out to bat at number three instead of Gill.

Explaining Why Kohli Started at No. 3 Against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma

After Day 2’s play, India captain Rohit Sharma said in a conversation that they want to play Sarfaraz Khan at his customary spot in the middle or lower middle order, at Nos. 4, 5, or 6. In Gill’s absence, there have been requests to move KL Rahul to the number three spot, but Rohit said that they did not want to switch Rahul and Rishabh Pant’s batting positions. Thus, Virat Kohli was elevated to the third rank.

“We intended to offer Sarfraz the spot where he typically bats, which may be four, five, or six. However, we were unwilling to alter Rishabh and KL (Rahul). Virat batted at three and Sarfraz moved at four as a result, Rohit remarked.

India Reports Lowest-Ever Home Test Results

In the first innings of the first Test match against New Zealand, India was all out for only 46 runs. This is the lowest score India has ever had in a home Test match. Additionally, this is the first occasion in 92 years that Team India has been dismissed at home for less than 50 runs. When India was all out for 75 against the West Indies in Delhi in 1987, it was their lowest-ever total at home.

It’s also the third-lowest total that India has ever scored in Test cricket, and it’s just the third time that the country has been dismissed for fewer than 50 runs in the game’s longest format.