Jatin Paranjape, a former member of India's national selection panel, has suggested three players who could eventually replace Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the Test team. As Virat Kohli is absent, Rahane will be taking charge as captain. At 33, Pujara is facing a tough period, having gone without a hundred since January 2019, and he has struggled to maintain steady performances at number three.
Rahane has also found it difficult to post big scores lately, averaging 24.76 with 644 runs in his most recent 15 Test matches. However, the absence of stars like Kohli and Rohit Sharma provides a perfect window for both Rahane and Pujara to shine against the Blackcaps. This is their moment to make a strong impression on the selectors and cement their roles in the squad.
According to Paranjape, it is only a matter of time before Pujara and Rahane move on from the Test side. He anticipates that the middle-order vacancies will be filled by two of these three: Shubman Gill, Hanuman Vihari, or Shreyas Iyer. While Iyer is still waiting for his first Test cap, his inclusion in the series against New Zealand is a positive step, and Paranjape believes he will perform well when called upon.
Paranjape argued that slotting Shubman Gill into the middle order would bring more stability and help India post larger totals. He emphasized that tactical flexibility is a huge asset for any team. In his view, younger players are far more adaptable to different roles than veterans who have already played 50 Tests, making the transition much smoother early in their careers.