Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir been criticised by fans on social media for dropping KL Rahul for India vs New Zealand 2nd Test. A day before the game, Gambhir had backed KL Rahul hinting that he will be retained in the playing XI.

India dropped KL Rahul, who scored only 0 and 12 runs in the first Test against New Zealand, from the playing XI for the second Test, which will be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium.

Shubman Gill, absent due to neck stiffness in the first Test against New Zealand, is likely to return for the second Test starting Thursday in Pune. H

Read about what Gautam Gambhir had to say on Shubman Gill's injury status ahead of India's second Test against New Zealand, only on.

D espite scoring 68 runs in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, KL Rahul finds himself in the middle of a huge storm, and questions are arising over his spot in India's

New Zealand have won the toss and have opted to bat first at the Maharashtra cricket association stadium in Pune. Shubman Gill has replaced KL Rahul in the India playing XI for today.

Shubman Gill returned to India's playing XI as New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat in the second Test in Pune on Thursday.

During the same press conference on Wednesday, Gambhir spoke about Rishabh Pant’s knee injury as well. Pant had been hit on his right knee during New Zealand's first innings and had to leave the field, with Dhruv Jurel taking over the keeping duties.

His return for the Pune Test against New Zealand will give the hosts, 0-1 down in the series, balance in their batting line-up

With Shubman Gill regaining fitness, it will be a toss up between KL Rahul and birthday boy Sarfaraz Khan for a middle-order batting spot in the India vs New Zealand 2nd Test in Pune.