Shubman Gill is expected to return the playing for India, as they take on New Zealand in the second Test, in Pune.

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.

Batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate says Shubman Gill, who had a neck strain, is 'good to go' for the Pune Test; Sarfaraz Khan is coming off a maiden Test century, but captain Rohit Sharma had said he wanted to give KL Rahul time at No.

Shubman Gill missed the first Test between India and New Zealand due to a stiff neck, while Rishabh Pant's participation was limited majorly to the batting role as he was replaced on the field by Dhruv Jurel after getting hurt on his knee.

Akash Deep, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill have been included in India’s playing eleven as New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune on Thursday.

Head Coach Gautam Gambhir had supported KL Rahul ahead of the second Test match, but his absence from the playing XI raises concerns about the team management's view on KL Rahul's position

New Zealand won the toss Thursday and decided to bat in the second cricket test against India, hoping to clinch the three-test series with a win in the western Maharashtra state city of Pune. India trails the three-match series 1-0 after New Zealand beat the home side by eight wickets in the first test.