Thu Oct 17 04:20:00 UTC 2024: ## India Wins Toss, Makes Two Changes in Playing XI for Bengaluru Test

**Bengaluru:** The highly anticipated first Test match between India and New Zealand finally got underway in Bengaluru on Thursday. After the first day’s play was washed out due to rain, the toss took place 15 minutes earlier than scheduled at 8:45 AM on Friday.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first. The team made two significant changes to their playing XI, with Sarfaraz Khan replacing the injured Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav coming in for fast bowler Akash Deep.

Gill’s absence was confirmed by Rohit Sharma, who cited his unfitness. The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, alongside Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, gives India a strong spin bowling attack.

The Indian playing XI is as follows:

**Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj**

The second day’s play will commence at 9:15 AM with the first session lasting until 11:30 AM. The second session will be from 12:10 PM to 2:25 PM, followed by the third session from 2:45 PM to 4:45 PM. A total of 98 overs are scheduled for the day’s play, with the possibility of extending the third session.

New Zealand’s team consists of:

**Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke.**

The match promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams looking to secure an early advantage in the series.

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