Kanpur, Nov 24, : New Zealand will be subject to a stern examination by the Indian spin attack, led Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.The two teams will face off in the first of two Tests at Green Park Stadium. New Zealand, current World Test Championship holders, will be trying to start the second round on a winning note.India, however, will be keen to turn the tables against an opposition that has a 3-2 lead over India in the last five Test meetings.
The hosts will be without Virat Kohli (returning to second Test), Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pan, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bangrah, an injured KL Rahul.This is a chance for younger players to play in the batting department, with the South Africa tour immediately after.
Rahul’s absence means the plan to play Shubman Gil in the middle order won’t materialize.India will be relying heavily on Shreyas Iyer, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Mayank Agarwal, who are set to make their debut and bat in the middle order.
India’s only department lacking in firepower is spin.In 2016, Ashwin and Jadeja took 16 of the 20 New Zealand wickets in the last match.
Overall, Ashwin was the main tormentor, with 27 wickets, while Jadeja had 14, leaving New Zealand in a spin.If the pitch is the same as it was in 2016, Ashwin and Jadeja will lead the demolition of India with the ball.
Axar Patel picked 27 wickets in Tests against England earlier this year.
If the spin trioika is able to come together, it will be a baptism by fire for the guests.
In the absence Devon Conway, Tom Latham will need to be successful at the top.Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor will also have to help the middle-order response to Ashwin and Co.
Their combination is still to be determined, but they may choose three spinners in Ajaz Palel, Will Somerville, and Mitchell Santner, along with pace options in Tim Southee or Neil Wagner.
As Williamson stated in the pre-match presser, India will be favourites.
It is not surprising that the 2016 script will continue in 2021.
Squads
India: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Jayant Yadav, KS Bharat (wicketkeeper) and Prasidh Krishna.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Will Young and Glenn Phillips (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee.
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