In the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune, India made three changes to their starting lineup. Given the present situation, Rohit Sharma decided to bring in an additional spinner, replacing Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Siraj with Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill, and Akash Deep.

In the first test, the tourists beat India by five wickets in Bengaluru, marking their first Test match played on Indian soil in 36 years. The host team will be under a lot of strain since they need to win their next two games in order to maintain their aspirations of qualifying for the World Test Championship.

Washington Sundar was selected after the first Test in Bengaluru, despite not being included in the original team. The Kiwis have a lot of left-handed hitters in their lineup, but bowling coach Ryan ten Doeschate has already suggested that they may be looking for another off-spinner. The all-rounder was selected before Kuldeep in the second Test.

“It’s definitely not a last resort. We have great confidence in our spinners. We only want to confirm that we are fully ready for the circumstances. And we want that option if it means removing the ball from the left-hander.

Sanjay Manjrekar has now supported Rohit Sharma’s decision, pointing out that a finger spinner like Sundar would benefit from the Pune surface.

He wrote, “Common sense selection,” on X. Inform the seamstress. A tall, fast finger spinner can suffice when pitch is providing a lot; you don’t need an artist like Kuldeep.”

India’s starting lineup includes: Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (w), Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rohit Sharma (c).

Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, William Orourke, and Tom Latham (captain) make up the New Zealand playing eleven.