Injuries galore in IND vs NZ second Test in Mumbai; Kohli replaces Rahane

The second Test between India and New Zealand got underway in Mumbai today, December 3. Ahead of the match, both teams were jolted by injury blows. For India, Ajinkya Rahane Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma were ruled out of the match. A statement from the BCCI revealed that Rahane is struggling with a hamstring injury, while Ishant and Jadeja are out due to dislocated finger and forearm 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.

Rahane's place was either way in doubt after his poor run of late. With Kohli set to be back for the Test, Rahane was the likely player who could have made way for Kohli. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj and Jayant Yadav replaced Ishant and Jadeja in the team.

New Zealand too were not spared of injuries as skipper Kane Williamson was ruled out. Williamson has been struggling with an elbow injury for a while. The batter exaggerated the same during the first Test and was forced to sit out of the series decider.

“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.”

India have won the toss and have opted to bat.