The much-anticipated Test series between India and New Zealand kicks off on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The teams will clash in the first of three Test matches, part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Both teams will be eager to start the series on a strong note, especially India, who have a remarkable record at home in Test cricket. New Zealand, known for their resilience, will look to bounce back after some injury concerns and inconsistent overseas performances. This encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru promises an intense battle.
Match Preview
India come into this series as the favourite, having established themselves as an indomitable force. The team's recent performances have been rock-solid, as they won both matches in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, India will be looking to cement their WTC credentials.
New Zealand, meanwhile, are grappling with some injury setbacks, and they are also coming into this series on the back of a Test series loss to Sri Lanka. Moreover, their past performances in India have been less than stellar. Yet, the Kiwis have a knack for playing a gritty brand of cricket that could trouble India if the hosts take them lightly.
This Test series will be crucial for both teams, with India looking to dominate and gain an early upper hand in the WTC standings. New Zealand aims to break their winless streak in the subcontinent.
Team News
Key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja will form the backbone of the Indian team. The return of Rishabh Pant from injury adds firepower to their middle order. He scored a century in the previous series against Bangladesh and will be eager to carry his good form forward. India also have promising talent in Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been in red-hot form. Another young gun is Shubman Gill, who consistently delivers at the top of the order.
New Zealand will be without their star pacer Trent Boult. He is sidelined due to injury, which is a significant blow to their pace attack. Tim Southee, the experienced campaigner, will lead the bowling unit. Kane Williamson is also out due to an ongoing injury. This would leave Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell to shoulder the batting responsibilities. Given India's spin-friendly conditions, the Kiwis will rely heavily on spinners like Ajaz Patel.
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for assisting spin as the game progresses. Traditionally, Bengaluru has provided a balanced surface, with the first couple of days favoring the batters, while spinners come into play from day three onwards. The overcast weather forecast for the first few days may assist the fast bowlers early. However, spin will likely dominate proceedings from the second innings onward.
Weather reports suggest a mix of sunny and cloudy conditions, with the possibility of rain interruptions during the game. Temperatures will hover around 25-30°C, which could lead to humidity and challenge both teams' endurance.
Key Players
India:
Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain is a force to reckon with, especially in home conditions. His ability to play long innings and dominate the spinners will be critical. As the opener, his partnerships with Gill or Rahul will set the tone for India's innings. He couldn't get big scores in the Bangladesh series but is eager to turn things around here.
Ravindra Jadeja: An indispensable part of India's Test setup, Jadeja's all-around skills will be critical to the spin-friendly Bengaluru track. His accuracy with the ball and ability to rescue innings with the bat lower down the order makes him a player to watch.
New Zealand:
Tom Latham: As New Zealand's stand-in captain in Williamson's absence, Latham will have to lead from the front. His experience playing in subcontinental conditions and calm demeanor at the crease will be essential if New Zealand is to challenge India.
Daryl Mitchell: Having established himself as a reliable all-rounder, Mitchell's contributions with both bat and ball will be vital. His spin and medium-pace bowling ability could provide crucial breakthroughs for the Kiwis.
Match Prediction
Considering India's recent dominance in home conditions and New Zealand's injury concerns, India enters the match as the clear favourites. The Chinnaswamy pitch is likely to assist India's spinners, with Jadeja and Ashwin expected to play pivotal roles.
New Zealand's weakened bowling attack without Boult could struggle to impact India's strong batting lineup. Yet, if New Zealand can post competitive first-innings totals and their spinners like Ajaz Patel step up, they might make the contest enjoyable.
Even so, barring any major surprises, India is expected to emerge victorious in this encounter.