After recieving a 4-0 hammering in the one-day internationals, team India will look to start fresh the two-match Test series against New Zealand starting at Auckland on Thursday.
Heading into the first of the two Test series, hosts New Zealand will be the more confident of the two sides. New Zealand’s confidence not only comes from the pasting they handed to India during the ODI series, but also from the fact that they defeated West Indies 2-0 in the three Test series, which precided the India’s tour, comprehensively.
But all is not gloom and doom for India fans, as when one looks at Historical statistics in Test cricket – the Kiwis- have performed poorly. In the last two years, the Black Caps have won just three out of the 21 Tests they have played which is dismal by any stretch of imagination.
India, on the other hand, can boast of a much better record, as the former World No.1 team has won nine out of last 14 Test matches. But having said that, India have just been beaten away from home by South Africa and coupled with India’s reputation of poor travellers will make this series all the more tense and interesting.
India last won a Test series away from home in 2011 when they travelled to the West Indies soon after their win in 2011 World Cup, but since then it has all been down hill, as they suffered famous 4-0 defeats in both England and Australia. That record might boost the Black Caps who are a looking like a well oiled unit with probably the most astute captain in world cricket at the moment.
India head into this game on back off a two-day pratice game where some of India’s stars featured against a relatively unknown New Zealand XI. The top order of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan couldn’t do much against New Zealand XI. Both, though, got the starts but couldn’t convert those thirties into something more substantial. The two players that did score substantially were Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, who each scored more than 50.
Test match, of course, is different kettles of fish much compared to a match against a second or a third XI of a domestic side in New Zealand and add to that the possibility of plenty of rain throughout the Test match, India will have to think carefully about their strategy, especially if pushing for the win.
Historically Eden Park, adrop in picth, has favoured fast bowlers with bounce. Spinners too shouldn’t be disheartened as the pitch will favour them as the game goes on, something which India will cherish. The last game played there saw New Zealand draw against England and for this Test to get result weather gods have to relent because if one goes by weather reports we have a frustrating Test on our hands with a draw the most likely result.
New Zeland vs India 1st Test: Team India looks to bounce back after a 4-0 humiliation in ODIs
After recieving a 4-0 hammering in the one-day internationals, team India will look to start fresh the two-match Test series against New Zealand starting at Auckland on Thursday.
Heading into the first of the two Test series, hosts New Zealand will be the more confident of the two sides. New Zealand’s confidence not only comes from the pasting they handed to India during the ODI series, but also from the fact that they defeated West Indies 2-0 in the three Test series, which precided the India’s tour, comprehensively.
But all is not gloom and doom for India fans, as when one looks at Historical statistics in Test cricket – the Kiwis- have performed poorly. In the last two years, the Black Caps have won just three out of the 21 Tests they have played which is dismal by any stretch of imagination.
India, on the other hand, can boast of a much better record, as the former World No.1 team has won nine out of last 14 Test matches. But having said that, India have just been beaten away from home by South Africa and coupled with India’s reputation of poor travellers will make this series all the more tense and interesting.
India last won a Test series away from home in 2011 when they travelled to the West Indies soon after their win in 2011 World Cup, but since then it has all been down hill, as they suffered famous 4-0 defeats in both England and Australia. That record might boost the Black Caps who are a looking like a well oiled unit with probably the most astute captain in world cricket at the moment.
India head into this game on back off a two-day pratice game where some of India’s stars featured against a relatively unknown New Zealand XI. The top order of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan couldn’t do much against New Zealand XI. Both, though, got the starts but couldn’t convert those thirties into something more substantial. The two players that did score substantially were Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, who each scored more than 50.
Test match, of course, is different kettles of fish much compared to a match against a second or a third XI of a domestic side in New Zealand and add to that the possibility of plenty of rain throughout the Test match, India will have to think carefully about their strategy, especially if pushing for the win.
Historically Eden Park, adrop in picth, has favoured fast bowlers with bounce. Spinners too shouldn’t be disheartened as the pitch will favour them as the game goes on, something which India will cherish. The last game played there saw New Zealand draw against England and for this Test to get result weather gods have to relent because if one goes by weather reports we have a frustrating Test on our hands with a draw the most likely result.
X-factor
New Zealand
Corey Anderson has already shown with his performance over last couple of months that he has got what it takes in the one-day game. But even in Test matches he has smashed a hundred in Test already. With the weather such as expected in the Test match game will be shortened considerably and if Anderson can play a trademark brisk innings, it will serve New Zealand very well.
India
For India the X-factor will be performance of Ravindra Jadeja the bowler given his last Test match in Durban where he was India’s best bowler and out bowled a much established Ravi Ashwin in that series. With Ashwin all but certain to left out in this Test Jadeja will need to play role of attacker or container depending on the situation
Probable XI
New Zealand
Hamish Rutherford, Peter Fulton, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (captain), BJ Watling (wk), Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
India
Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan , Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma
When: Thursday, Feb. 6-10
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
Start time: 03:30 a.m IST
Weather: There’s rain predicted all through the Test match, although there’s also a bit of sunshine around. Expect this Test match to be a stop-start affair.