India are set to host New Zealand in the second and penultimate Test, at the MCA Stadium in Pune, starting on Thursday Gautam Gambhir confirms Rishabh Pant is 'absolutely fit'

India are set to host New Zealand in the second and penultimate Test, at the MCA Stadium in Pune, starting on Thursday (Oct 24).

With an eight-wicket defeat in the series opener, in Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma-led hosts are desperate to level the series.

Ahead of the penultimate contest, all eyes are on India's playing XI as Shubman Gill is fit whereas it will be interesting to see if Akash Deep replaces Mohammed Siraj.

Moreover, Rishabh Pant also complained of knee issues in the Bengaluru Test.

However, Gambhir has confirmed that he is 'absolutely fit' to play and will keep wickets in Pune.

During the pre-match press conference, Gambhir said, "He's absolutely fine, he'll keep wickets tomorrow."

Thus, this officially ends all speculations regarding Pant's injury concerns, especially after his knee was hit in the same area, in Bengaluru, where he had previously undergone surgery post the horrific car crash.

The home team, thus, took a cautious approach in the series opener and asked Dhruv Jurel to keep wickets during India's unsuccessful 107-run defence in the final innings.

It will be interesting to see India's team combination for the Pune Test. With Siraj not looking in his elements in the series opener, many expect Akash Deep to replace him.

Gill, who missed the series opener due to stiff neck, is fit to play and it remains to be seen if he will replace Sarfaraz Khan, who scored a majestic 150 in India's second essay in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz wasn't supposed to play the three-match Test series opener but got a chance at the expense of Gill. 

KL Rahul, who bats at No. 6, is also under the radar. After a failed run in the Bengaluru Test, the right-hander can also be ousted, however, the team management is likely to back him.

Thus, Gill is expected to replace Sarfaraz.

Talking about the first Test, India opted to bat first but got bundled out for 46 due to Matt Henry's 5 for 15. In reply, NZ rode on Rachin Ravindra's 134 to take a whopping 356-run lead.

The home team fought back, owing to Sarfaraz's 150 and Pant's 99, to post 458 but only managed to set a 107-run target. Eventually, the visitors chased it down with eight wickets in hand.

Meanwhile, Tom Latham-led Black Caps will continue to miss star batter Kane Williamson, who is yet not fully fit post a groin strain.