CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand): India head coach Ravi Shastri confirmed that opening batsman Prithvi Shaw was fit for the 2nd Test against New Zealand that will begin from Saturday.
The opener had missed a training session due to a swelling on his left foot.
In absence of Rohit Sharma, Shaw opened for India alongside Mayank Agarwal in the first Test in Wellington, which India lost. But Shaw was dismissed cheaply in both his outings — 16 & 14.
And with Shaw in an injury scare, there were speculations of Shubman Gill opening in the second Test.
“On the choice between Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin, we will take a call tomorrow morning. Prithvi is ready to go (after recovering from an injury scare),” said Shastri at a pre-match press conference.
Ashwin was picked up ahead of Jadeja for the Wellington Test, and the right-arm off-spinner picked up three wickets in the two innings.
However, on a pitch where the India batsmen failed to perform, Ashwin could only make a 4-run contribution with the bat.
“He is a world-class bowler, there is no doubt about it but we have to make sure that we pick the right side for the right conditions. I think he will improve,” Shastri added.
India were outplayed in the first Test by New Zealand, who won by 10 wickets defeat . This was India’s first defeat since the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship last year.
