India vs New Zealand, 2nd test: Match Preview, Playing XI, Pitch report

After a nail-biting draw at Kanpur, India now will take on New Zealand in the 2nd and final Test of the series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Both the teams fought till the last ball in the first test, and eventually, the Kiwis earned a hard-fought draw. New Zealand’s last-wicket pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel, played out 52 deliveries to deny India a victory.

For New Zealand, both the openers have been in great form, especially Tom Latham who scored the fifties in both innings at Kanpur. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor looked a bit rusty and the two experienced players will look to get some runs in the 2nd test. In the bowling department, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson put pressure on the Indian batsmen throughout the whole game. Although, the New Zealand spinners looked pretty ordinary. With the change in conditions, Neil Wagner is expected to return in the Playing XI in place of Will Somerville.

Who sits out when Virat Kohli returns?

Virat Kohli will be back for the decider, and it will be interesting to find out who will make way for the skipper. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been going through the lean patch. The duo has been woefully short of runs and hasn’t scored a century in 2021. According to the reports, Rahane is expected to get ‘one more chance’ on his home ground. So, Mayank Agarwal is likely to be dropped from the second test.

“We know there is a lot of experience behind them and they have played enough cricket…we also know as a team that they are one inning away from coming to form. As a team, everyone is behind them and backing them, they know the value they bring to the team and the experience that they have. They will come good, really not having any discussion around them. They have played enough cricket to understand what is expected or required to get going,” bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said in the press conference.

Wriddhiman Saha is also in doubt as well for this match due to a stiff neck. Although, Virat Kohli has said in PC that Saha is fit to play. If he misses out due to injury then KS Bharat might replace him. And in the absence of Mayank, Bharat might also move up the order and open the batting. Also, Ishant Sharma could also be rested, and Mohammad Siraj is likely to be added to the Playing XI.

India vs New Zealand Match Details

Match: India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test
Date: 3rd-7th December 2021
Time: 09:30 AM IST
Venue: Wankhede stadium, Mumbai
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network

Pitch Report

Wankhede has always been a batting-friendly surface. However, given the cloudy weather, there will be enough help for the fast bowlers. So, the captain winning the toss should choose to bat first as batting in the fourth innings is never easy in Indian conditions.

India vs New Zealand Head to Head

India- 21
New Zealand- 13
Draw- 27

Predicted Playing 11

India

KS Bharat, S Gill, C Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), A Rahane, S Iyer, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Patel, Umesh Yadav, M Siraj/Ishant Sharma

New Zealand

T Latham (VC), Will Young, K Williamson (C), R Taylor, H Nicholls, T Blundell (WK), K Jamieson, Rachin Ravindra, T Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner/Somerville, Ajaz Patel

Key Players

India: Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel

New Zealand: Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham

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