India are currently taking on New Zealand in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After the entire play on Day 1 was washed out due to rain, the play finally began on Day 2 with the toss taking place on the second day as well. As India announced their playing XI after winning the toss and opting to bat first, the one glaring name that was missing was that of Shubman Gill, who has made the number three spot his own.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, Shubman Gill is suffering from neck stiffness, and was under observation by the team physios. It was reported that if he does not recover in time, then he would be rested for the first Test, and it looks like that is exactly what happened. Gill has established himself as the first choice for the no.3 spot in the Test lineup, and even slammed a century in the second Test against Bangladesh.

Shubman Gill has been replaced by Sarfaraz Khan in the India playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand. Sarfaraz had a dream debut for India in the Test Series against England earlier this year, where he slammed 200 runs in just 3 games. However, the arrival of KL Rahul meant that he missed being part of the playing XI for the entire series against Bangladesh. He now comes back into the playing XI courtesy the injury to Shubman Gill.

However, Sarfaraz may come lower down the order, with KL Rahul moving up to Shubman Gill's spot at no.3.

Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

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