Can the hosts tie up the series?
After a debacle in Bengaluru, with the Indian think-tank misreading the Chinnaswamy pitch which led to an embarrassing defeat at home to New Zealand after 36 years, Rohit Sharma and his boys will be looking to hit back hard when they face the Kiwis in the second Test in Pune.
Ahead of the second Test match between India and New Zealand, here’s our match preview and predictions.
Second Test | New Zealand tour of India 2024 | 09:30 IST, October 24
After a washout on Day 1 in Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir and the leadership group in the Indian camp completely misread the pitch, opting to bat first on a wicket that had plenty for the seamers. Not even one Indian batter looked comfortable in what was a shocking batting display, in which India got bowled out for the lowest score at home, 46. The Indian batters showed better fight in the second innings, on a flatter Bengaluru pitch, with Sarfaraz Khan, playing in place of the injured Shubhman Gill and Rishabh Pant, taking India across 400. A late collapse from the lower middle order and tail saw India unable to bat themselves out after conceding a massive first innings lead, which eventually led to the Kiwis, chasing down a paltry target of 107 with ease.
On the bowling front, the two left-arm spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, were amongst the wickets in the first innings, which saw India concede 402 while it was only Jasprit Bumrah who showed a fighting spirit in the second innings.
For the Kiwis, Matt Henry and the young William O’Rourke caused havoc on the second day morning, with both pacers accounting for nine wickets to bundle out India for 46. The two were amongst the wickets against in the second innings with Henry leading the late collapse which ensured New Zealand didn’t have a lot to chase on the final day. With the bat, the Kiwis were brilliant, especially the young Rachin Ravindra. A fighting 134 along with a 91 from Devon Conway and an explosive 65 from Tim Southee meant that New Zealand reached 402 in their first innings and it was Will Young and Ravindra guiding the visitors home on the final day in a chase of 107.
Good news for India is that Gill is fit again, after missing out the first test due to a stiff neck and Pant has been keeping wickets as well in between the tests after getting hit on the knee which he had surgery on. On a turner in Pune, India will most likely once again go in with three spinners and the two pacers in Bumrah or Siraj but all eyes will be on the Indian batters, especially KL Rahul, who’s recent form has put the spotlight on him for all the wrong reasons. The Pune track though should be one which he should do well on and get back amongst the runs. On a spin friendly Pune track, expect the hosts to dominate and come out on top to tie up the series with the hosts boasting of a stellar spin-trio who should make life uncomfortable for the visiting batters.
Fantasy XI
Rohit Sharma, Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Virat Kohli, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ajaz Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin
Venue: Pune
Winners Prediction: India
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