IND vs NZ 2nd Test: India make three changes after injuries rule out Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant

The second Test between India and New Zealand got underway in Mumbai. However, both teams had to make forced changes in their XI. For India, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma were unavailable due to injuries. As per the BCCI statement, Rahane is struggling with a hamstring injury, while Jadeja and Ishant are out due to forearm and finger injury respectively.

“Ajinkya Rahane sustained a minor left hamstring strain while fielding on the final day of the first test match in Kanpur,” the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has returned to the side in place of Rahane. Jayant Yadav has replaced Ravindra Jadeja, while Mohammed Siraj is back into the team in place of Ishant Sharma.

For New Zealand, Kane Williamson was ruled out owing to an elbow injury. The injury has troubled Williamson for a long time and forced him to miss a few games of IPL and 20-20 World Cup. Williamson exaggerated the same in the first Test and was forced to miss the crucial second Test.

“It’s been a really tough time for Kane having to deal with such a persistent injury,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “While we’ve been able to manage the injury through the year and the T20 World Cup, the shift to test cricket and the increased batting loading has re-aggravated his elbow.”

Meanwhile, India are batting first after Kohli won the toss. Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill have added 27 runs for the first wicket at the time of writing.