Rohit Sharma's dismal run continued as he was dismissed for just two points on the second day of the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday. The captain of the Indian cricket team was not comfortable on a pitch that offered a lot of support to the fast bowlers and was eventually occupied by Southee. Rohit was completely beaten by the momentum of the delivery and it crashed into the stumps to end Rohit's brief stay at the crease. Rohit failed to cross the 30-run mark in both Test matches against Bangladesh and his recent disappointing performance led to a lot of trolling on social media.

Sarfaraz Khan and Kuldeep Yadav join India's playing XI as captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand.

Rohit selfless Sharma is gone.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/bGRsWu8uYK

– Ayan (@ayan3955) October 17, 2024

With no rain on the first day of play on Wednesday, this means the Test series opener has effectively become a four-day affair.

Rohit Sharma is completely exhausted. Like this tweet if you want him to retire ASAP. pic.twitter.com/HzUYcSMcm4

— ꜱɪᴅ ♡ (@1CricketOpinion) October 17, 2024

After winning the toss, Rohit said Shubman Gill was not 100% fit due to a stiff neck, so Sarfaraz was back in the playing eleven after the Dharamshala Test against England in March.

Dear Rohit Sharma,
You've been playing Test cricket for years and haven't done anything notable as a batsman. Please back off and don't eat spots from deserving youngsters. You are more than DONEpic.twitter.com/DPupApoocR

— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧ᴾᵃʳᵒᵈʸ (@bholination_18) October 17, 2024

In Gill's absence, KL Rahul was deployed as the number three batsman for India. Meanwhile, Kuldeep was selected as the third spinner alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of pacer Akash Deep.

Newly appointed New Zealand captain Tom Latham said Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips will be the spin bowling all-rounders for the visitors alongside left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. They are complemented by three pacers in Matt Henry, Tim Southee and William O'Rourke.

Play XIs-

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (week), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (week), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel and William O'Rourke.

(With IANS inputs)