The second and the final Test between India and New Zealand will be at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday. While the Kane Williamson and his men eyeing for another series whitewash and gain valuable 60 ICC Test championship points. On the other hand, the Indian team will be looking to prove that the 10-wicket loss was just a one-off game for them.

That said, after a chastening loss in Wellington, Team India is facing some selection problem, but the Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri, cleared a lot of air about the same during the pre-match press conference.

The Indian team management had preferred the veteran spinner, R Ashwin ahead of Ravindra Jadeja for the Wellington Test, and he justified his selection by scalp three wickets. However, on a pitch where the India batsmen failed to perform, Ashwin was unable to do much with his bat. 

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Talking about him, Shastri said, “He is a world-class bowler, there is no doubt about it but we have to make sure that we pick the right side for the right conditions. I think he has bowled well over the years, if anything, he would be disappointed with his batting, I think he will improve.”

After losing the toss and put in to bat first, India was completely outplayed in the first Test against New Zealand. I was India’s first defeat since the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship last year.

Talking about the loss, Shastri said, “It is the red ball, we cannot replicate the white-ball performance. Especially in New Zealand and England, conditions are pretty similar. We are here not to give excuses, we were outplayed. A shakeup like that is good because when you are winning all the time, you will have a closed or fixed mindset. It is a good lesson and the boys are up for the challenge.”

Jasprit Bumrah was not at his usual best in the first Test as he picked only one wicket in the Wellington, and the Indian pacer was immensely criticized since his return to the national side from a back injury.

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Answering those concerns around Bumrah, Shastri said, “Bumrah is very close to getting a five-for or a six-for. It can happen tomorrow. Similarly with Shami (Mohammed) so nothing to worry.”