Pant vs Saha, Shaw vs Gill, Jadeja vs Ashwin: Ravi Shastri answers India's key selection questions ahead of 2nd Test

The caravan of the India tour of New Zealand moves to its final destination- Hagley Oval in Christchurch where both sides will lock horns in the second and final Test of the two-match series. Both sides will have an added motivation going into the second Test.

While the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand will hope for an encore of their performance at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and maintain their cent percent record at home since 2017 besides gaining valuable 60 ICC Test championship points, the Men in Blue will be looking to prove that the 10-wicket shellacking in the first Test was a mere aberration.

That said, after a chastening loss in Wellington, the No.1 ranked Test side faces selection conundrum on various issues; something Head Coach Ravi Shastri gave his views on in the pre-match press conference.

Will Prithvi Shaw get another chance?

Prithvi Shaw had a forgettable outing in the first game where his technique was badly exposed by the seam, swing, and bounce generated by the Kiwi bowlers. Shaw’s participation for the second Test looked in doubt when he missed the practice session due to a swollen foot. But Shastri confirmed that the opener is ‘ready to go’, meaning Shubman Gill will have to wait for some more time for his chance.

Ashwin or Jadeja: Who’ll India prefer in Christchurch?

Ravi Ashwin was picked ahead of Jadeja in the first Test. The premier off-spinner managed to get three wickets on what was a seamer-friendly wicket. With the bat, Ashwin could not contribute much in both innings.

Shastri reckoned that the call between Jadeja and Ashwin will be taken on the morning of the Test but his statement that Ashwin would be disappointed by his batting- suggest that Jaddu might just get a nod ahead of the premier off-spinner.

“We will take a call about Jadeja and Ashwin tomorrow. He (Ashwin) is a world-class bowler, there is no doubt about it. We have to be sure that we pick the right side for the right conditions and see what a player can bring to the table. He has bowled well over the years. If anything he would be disappointed with his batting, he would want to improve his batting in time to come,” Shastri said as quoted by Times Now.

Pant or Saha: the first-choice wicketkeeper?

India opted for Pant in the first Test after he had missed the entire home Test season with the team-management preferring the skills of Saha on turning tracks of India.

Shastri explained the reasoning behind opting for Pant in overseas conditions when he said, “We went for Saha in India as there were turning tracks. Saha is one of the best around. But when you come here, there is not much of spin bowling. The emphasis is on fast bowling and batting. Rishabh, being an attacking batsman in the lower order, helps him in his selection.”