India will lock horns against New Zealand in the second Test match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune from Thursday onwards. The hosts lost the opening Test by eight wickets and they will be determined to turn the tables in the second game of the series.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for India: L W W W W
India’s batting will be under scrutiny after they were bowled out for a paltry score of 46 runs in the first innings at Bengaluru. They will need to pull up their socks with the bat. Furthermore, Indian spinners – Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep – were not at their absolute best.
Current form for New Zealand: W L L Abandoned L
New Zealand was able to tick the right boxes during the opening test. The visitors’ bowlers were able to make the most of the favorable conditions on offer on the second day’s play and their pacers were right on the money. Moreover, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway got the crucial runs with the bat.
Head to Head: Matches: 63, Won by India: 22, Won by New Zealand: 14, Drawn: 27.
Players to look out for: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah will be the crucial players for India.
William O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, Tim Southee, Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, and Devon Conway will be the key players for the visitors.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
