After sweeping the T20I series, Team India will now don the Test whites for a two-match series against New Zealand. Even as several key names will be missing from the team sheet, the clash between the two top-ranked sides in the longest format, promises to be a spectacle for fans.
Uphill task for Kiwis
India’s wonderful record at home though makes them heavy favourites. Their last series defeat at home came at the hands of Alastair Cook’s England nine years back. Considering India have won 13 series since then, New Zealand would have to play out of their skins to have any chance of overcoming this formidable Indian side. The fact that the visitors haven’t won a Test in Indian conditions since 1988, highlights how difficult a task it will be for the Kiwis.
Indian fans though would remember the humbling they received at the hands of New Zealand in the World Test Championship final five months back. The conditions in England surely favoured the BlackCaps but the low, slow tracks of the Indian subcontinent will prove to be a massive challenge for the visitors. However, with India resting several key players through the series, this is probably New Zealand’s best opportunity of improving upon their record.
Injuries & replacements
KL Rahul’s thigh strain right before the Kanpur Test means India will have to rework their batting plans. India now only have three batters available to them who have the experience of playing in at least 10 Tests – Captain Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara & Mayank Agarwal.
India have added Suryakumar Yadav to the squad in place of Rahul but the Mumbai batter will most likely warm the bench, with Shreyas Iyer all set to make his debut for the hosts. Mayank Agarwal & Shubman Gill will slot in as the openers.
The visitors will be without their strike bowler Trent Boult who has been rested but the return of Kane Williamson as captain will surely be a huge boost for New Zealand. The Kiwis will also be without their first-choice opener Devon Conway, who is missing from the India tour due to a fracture in the right hand.
Ashwin-Jadeja supremacy
For India, the return of Ravichandran Ashwin & Ravindra Jadeja after rest in the T20Is, makes their bowling look far more formidable even as names like Bumrah & Shami are missing. Ashwin has an incredible record against New Zealand at home, having picked six 5-wicket hauls in just 5 Tests. With conditions expected to favour the spinners, Ashwin & Jadeja might once again prove to be their opponents’ undoing.
Veterans' turn to shine
There will be pressure though on two of India’s senior statesmen - Cheteshwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane. India’s captain for the first Test, Ajinkya Rahane, is averaging under 25 over the last 15 Tests with only one century to his name.
Pujara too has struggled in recent times, averaging less than 30 in his last 22 Tests, during which he has failed to score a single ton. All eyes will be on these two to put their batting woes behind ahead of India’s crucial tour of South Africa.
With several key players rested or missing, the first Test will provide the Indian youngsters with a glorious opportunity to showcase their talent. Those who grab this opportunity might find themselves on the flight to South Africa.
New Zealand will definitely start the game as underdogs but even if they go down, they won’t go down without a fight. A cracking contest awaits us all at Green Park.
