Rishabh Pant boost for India, massive blow for New Zealand confirmed ahead of 2nd Test match in Pune

Indian cricket fans can breathe easy after it was confirmed that Rishabh Pant is fit to play the 2nd Test match in Pune. The 27-year-old had suffered an injury to his knee during the second day of the opening game in Bengaluru last week. Pant came out to bat in the 2nd innings and scored 99 runs as India lost the match by 8 wickets. 

Meanwhile, there is bad news for New Zealand as their star batter Kane Williamson still isn’t fit. The 34-year-old had missed the first game due to groin injury and it was confirmed that the former Kiwi skipper will also miss the 2nd Test match in Pune. New Zealand coach Gary Stead confirmed the news just 2 days before the game. 

Rohit Sharma while speaking to the press at the end of the game had made a massive statement on Pant’s injury. India’s skipper said “Rishabh Pant had a massive operation on his leg, so we all know what he went through”

The 37-year-old also said “He’s had a lot of minor surgeries, one big surgery on his knee, and he went through a lot of trauma, to be honest, in the last one and a half years. So, it’s just about being extra careful, not careful with him. Even when he was batting, he was not comfortably running. He was trying to only put the ball in the stands.”

Kane Williamson blow for New Zealand ahead of Pune Test match 

Gary Stead, New Zealand’s chief coach has come out and said that Kane Williamson still isn’t fit to play. The 34-year-old had injured himself during the second and final Test match versus Sri Lanka in Galle last month. This ensured that the former Kiwi skipper wasn't part of the Playing XI that took to the field in Bengaluru. 

ESPNCRICINFO quoted the Kiwi coach saying “We're monitoring Kane and he's tracking in the right direction, but isn't yet 100% fit. We're hopeful to see further improvement over the coming days and have him available for the third Test. We'll give him as much time as possible to get himself ready, but certainly continue to take a cautious approach."

While New Zealand is likely to go in with the same team, the home side could make a few changes. KL Rahul’s bad form with the bat could see him miss out on action in Pune. Shubman Gill is likely to make his return to the side and bat at number 3. There is also a chance that Washington Sundar could be drafted into the team as a third spinner.