Kolkata : New Zealand defeated India by 8 wickets in 1st Test at Bengaluru. India, undefeated at Home for 11 years and trailing by 0-1 now eye on a giant comeback.
VENUE :
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
TIME :
October 24, 2024, 9:30 am IST
CONDITIONS :
There’s been rain in last few days at Pune but the city received hot afternoons. The Pitch is dry and spinners can play a big role in the Test especially after Day 2.
HEAD TO HEAD :
Total Matches : 63
India won : 22
New Zealand won : 14
Match Tied : 27
TEAM ANALYSIS :
India :
India, losing 1st Test, notably being 46 all out, have drawn wide speculations regarding changes.
KL Rahul who scored only 12 runs (0 & 12) & Mohammad Siraj, facing rusty spells (2/84 & 0/16) in both innings have drawn more speculations of being dropped.
Shubman Gill, who’s reportedly fit for 2nd Test , Washington Sundar and wicket taker in form Akash Deep could also rope into the team replacing some names.
Sarfaraz Khan and Risabh Pant, who scored flamboyant innings of 150 & 99 respectively are pillars of middle order, but, if the team want to back Rahul and rope in Gill, it can be an insecurity for Sarfaraz’s place in the 2nd Test despite scoring big.
Same goes with Siraj, as per assistant Coach Ryan Ten Doeschate, they will open doors for Mohammad Siraj in 2nd Test despite his dip in form, as they feel Siraj can improve if backed. This will mean a sidelined fortune for Akash Deep.
Despite Ravi Ashwin not performing well in the 1st Test with spells of 1/94 & 0/6, also failing with Bat scoring just 15 runs (0 & 15), can be handy with Ball on Pune’s turning track.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav both picked 3-fers in 1st Test, but if Sundar is included into the Playing 11, it could mean a rest for Kuldeep. There might not be any inclusion of all rounder Axar Patel in the side.
Jasprit Bumrah was a lone warrior in bowling department, picking 2 wickets and is expected to do well with New Ball in the 2nd Test as well.
As for Batting, veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma showed sparks of their prime form in 2nd innings , scoring half centuries.
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 48 runs (13 & 35), but he’s an in form player and can score big in his day.
Overall, Indian team look strong on paper, and if they’re back in original form, can clinch the 2nd Test.
New Zealand :
New Zealand would go to the 2nd Test with Kane Williamson being unavailable as he’s recovering from injury.
Despite Tom Latham not in good form in 1st Test, his leadership was widely appreciated.
Devon Conway, Will Young, 1st Test centurion Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell are expected to play key roles in front of Indian bowlers especially the spinners.
Kiwi spinners Ajaz Patel , part timers Rachin and Phillips will get more help from Pune Pitch and is likely to trouble Indian middle order. If New Zealand play an additional spinner with like of Michael Bracewell or Mitchell Santner they’ll get added advantage with Old Ball.
Veteran Tim Southee despite picking only 2 wickets bowled exceptionally well with New Ball and played vital innings of 65 with Bat.
However, talk of the town William O’Rourke & Matt Henry 7 & 8 wickets respectively and manhandled India middle order. They’re likely to play big part against India in 2nd Test as well.
SQUAD :
India : 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, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, William O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy.
