India vs NZ – Gautam Gambhir backs KL Rahul, but will he play in Pune?

“You don’t pick players on social media because of social media or even because of what the experts say,” Gambhir said while addressing Rahul’s form on the eve of the second Test in Pune. “What the team managers think and what the leadership team thinks is very important. In the end, everyone is judged.

“International cricket is about being judged, to be honest, because everybody’s performance will be judged in the end. But I feel that he [Rahul] you hit really well. Apparently, he had a good knock in Kanpur [against Bangladesh] obviously, on a difficult wicket. And apparently, he was playing according to the plans as well. And I’m sure, I think, he will know that he wants to score big runs and he has that ability to score runs. That is why he is supported by the team management.”

While Sarfaraz may have an edge over Rahul after his 150 in Bengaluru, Gambhir did not reveal which way the team is leaning.

“We just felt that maybe they [New Zealand] we had four or five left-handers in the playing XI,” Gambhir said of Washington’s inclusion in the squad. “If we want to have another bowler who can take the ball away from the left-handers, it’s always helpful. to us. But we still haven’t decided who will be the playing XI.

“We believe there are probably two [left-hand] opening batsmen and Rachin [Ravindra] in the middle of nowhere. So, we feel that if Washy can give us more control in the middle, it will always be good for us.”

However, Gambhir said that the team is monitoring the work of Jasprit Bumrah who has played three Tests for India so far this domestic season.

“Once upon a time [New Zealand Test] the series is over, we still have ten or twelve days before the Test starts in Australia,” Gambhir said. “So, that’s enough rest for our fast bowlers. But we will be careful after the Test match where Jasprit Bumrah is. But it’s not just about Jasprit Bumrah. It is about all fast bowlers. We want to keep them fresh. We know we obviously have a long and important journey ahead of us in Australia.

“But the management of the job will depend on what the result of this Test match is and how much they have bowled in this Test match.”