Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir in the pre-match press conference backed KL Rahul even though he struggled in the Bengaluru Test. Gambhir said the criticism on social media does not bother him.

In the first Test of the series at home, Rahul came out scoreless in the first innings and made just 12 runs in the second innings.

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“You don’t pick players on social media because of social media or even what experts say,” Gambhir told reporters at the press conference. “What the team management thinks and what the leadership group thinks is very, very important. In the end everyone is judged.

Gambhir also praised Rahul for his composed performance in the second innings against Bangladesh in Kanpur during the second Test.

“To be honest, international cricket is about being judged, because everyone’s performance will eventually be judged. But I feel like he is batting very well. Obviously, he has taken a decent knock in Kanpur (against Bangladesh), on a difficult wicket. And, obviously, he also played according to plans. And I think I’m sure he would also know that he wants to score big runs and that he has that ability to score runs. That is why he has the support of the team management,” added Gambhir.

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Gill will return to the team after missing the first Test.

Shubman Gill will return to bat at No. 3 in Pune after missing the first Test due to neck stiffness. This means India has to choose between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his first Test century in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz took a brief break due to the birth of his son, but returned to training with the team in Pune on Wednesday.

Although Sarfaraz’s 150 runs in Bengaluru give him an edge over Rahul, Gambhir did not say which player the team is likely to pick.

New Zealand are in a commanding position at 1-0 in the three-match series, courtesy their eight-wicket win against India in Bengaluru in the first Test. India will come out all guns blazing to level the series as they have not lost a series at home since 2012. They are also looking to improve their winning percentage in the WTC table, where they currently sit at the top. The second test will begin on October 24 in Pune.

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