New Zealand and India have clean-swept each other in the shorter formats during the tour which started last month. The Kiwis whitewashed India in the ODI series while the Men in Blue clean-swept New Zealand in the five-match T20I series by 5-0.
Now, the two sides will head to play the two-match Test series which is the part of ICC World Test Championship 2019-21. The first test match will be played in Wellington. this Friday.
Date: 21st February
Time: 3:30 am (IST)
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal likely to open:
Prithvi Shaw is likely to open the innings with Mayank Agarwal in the first Test match. During the warm-up game, Shaw had scored more runs than Shubman Gill. who was also the option for the opening position.
In the first innings, Shaw was out on duck while he had scored 39 runs in the second innings. Whereas, Gill lost his wicket cheaply in both the chances.
Thus, Shaw is likely to open the innings for India.
Trent Boult returns to the squad; Kyle Jamieson to make debut:
New Zealand’s premier bowler Trent Boult has returned in the Test squad after recovering from injury.
The Kiwis strong pace battery is back with Neil Wagner also returning to the fold. While the lanky pacer Kyle Jamieson, who showed his skills in the ODI series, had earned the call for the Test series too.
New Zealand vs India 2020: Head to Head
| Team | Total | Won | Lost | draw/Tied |
| New Zealand | 57 | 10 | 21 | 26/0 |
| India | 57 | 21 | 21 | 26/0 |
Weather forecast:
The weather being cloudy some of the days, there are no chances of any rain at any stage. Meanwhile, the daytime temperatures in Wellington will range between 20°C to 22°C for five days.
Humidity levels are likely to be as high as 78 per cent on Friday, and thereafter settle between 63% to 73% on other match days. While Wind might also play a role and could favour bowlers to a great extent.
Pitch Report:
The Basin Reserve pitch is covered with the grass and is likely to favour pacers. Whereas, the spinners would not be as successful as the speedsters. However, as the grass burns down on the third and fourth day, the pitch might stop assisting the fast bowlers.
India’s Predictable XI:
| Players | Role |
| Prithvi Shaw | Opening Batsman |
| Mayank Agarwal | Opening Batsman |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | Batsman |
| Virat Kohli (c) | Batsman |
| Ajinkya Rahane | Batsman |
| Hanuma Vihari | Batsman |
| Wriddhiman Saha | Wk-Batsman |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Allrounder |
| Ishant Sharma | Bowler |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler |
New Zealand’s Predicted XI:
Match prediction:
India has won every Test series since the start of WTC. They had shown some outstanding cricket overseas in recent times. But New Zealand is an incredibly strong Test team in their conditions. Also, India is playing the first away series after a long time.
Thus, New Zealand might prove a better side. The host is likely to get the lead of 1-0 in the series.
Where to Watch:
TV: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 3
Online: Hotstar