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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 Rajkot has four successful defensive records; New Zealand breaks trend
- 2🏆 Shubman Gill confident batting first would have been his choice anyway
- 3💡 Minimal dew reported during training; evening conditions uncertain
- 4🔮 Reddy's inclusion adds all-round balance to India's Test XI
"Shubman Gill said he would have batted first anyway and that there wasn't much dew at the venue when they trained the night before"
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been drafted into India's playing XI as injury replacement for Washington Sundar in the Test clash against New Zealand in Rajkot. New Zealand won the toss and elected to chase, defying the venue's formidable home record.
Tactical Gamble
Michael Bracewell's decision to field first breaks Rajkot's perfect four-match defensive record, as New Zealand banked on evening dew to aid their chase. The visitors hope moisture will assist their bowlers and provide batting advantage under lights, though India's captain Shubman Gill indicated minimal dew was present during training.
Gill confirmed he would have batted first regardless, suggesting India holds confidence in their pitch assessment and batting depth. The Indian captain's measured approach reflects the team's composure heading into this crucial Test encounter.
Reddy's inclusion provides India with an all-rounder option to balance the XI following Sundar's injury setback. The young talent brings both batting flexibility and bowling options, allowing India to maintain squad balance without compromising depth.
