IND vs NZ, 2nd Test | Fantasy Tips, Prediction & Preview

India will lock horns with New Zealand in the second game of the three-match Test series. The first game brought a disastrous result for the home side, with the Black Caps stunning them with an eight-wicket win. As India kicked off their journey with a loss, it's a must-win game for them to stay alive in the series. 

India had a forgettable outing in the first Test in Bengaluru, conceding an eight-wicket victory to the visiting side. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's decision to bat first under overcast conditions backfired on the hosts, as New Zealand's rampant pace battery skittled them for 46, their lowest-ever Test score in the Asian continent. Despite heroic knocks from Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, India failed to set a difficult target for the Kiwis, who chased it down with just two wickets lost. So, moving on to this game, the hosts would be desperate for a win to avoid a rare home series defeat, while this game allows New Zealand to extend their purple patch and bag the trophy with one game remaining. 

On the other hand, New Zealand registered their first win in India since 1988. With the win, the visitors have taken a lead of 1-0 in the three-test series. They will now look to carry on the momentum and register a historic series win in India by beating them in the second game. Rachin Ravindra slammed a match-winning knock for the visiting team. The Kiwis have done fairly well given the absence of Kane Williamson from two of the three Tests on this tour. Will Young appeared resolute in the middle-order which features Ravindra’s brilliance. New Zealand will, however, expect more off Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell’s bats and at the same time want the others to try and emulate Southee’s feats in the first innings of the opening Test.

Match Timings

Match Toss Time - 09:00 AM IST (03:30 AM GMT)

Match Start Time - 09:30 AM IST (04:00 AM GMT)

Match Venue - MCA Stadium, Pune

Head to Head

Matches Played - 63

India won - 22     New Zealand won - 14

Draw - 27

Last 5 meetings

India won - 01     New Zealand won - 03

Draw - 01

Pitch Report

Considering how the visiting pacers exploited the seam-friendly pitch in Bengaluru, India have prepared a turning track in Pune to use the conditions in their favor. The surface in Pune will offer less bounce than what we saw in Bengaluru. It will be on the drier side, keeping the spinners interested in all five days.  The new ball is expected to swing, but as it gets older, spinners will come into play. 

Weather Report

The weather forecast predicts cloud cover in the next five days in Pune with a possibility of passing showers on the last two days of the game. The average temperature is expected to be between 30 and 32° C, with humidity index going around 55-65 percent.

Probable Playing XI  

India (IND) - Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand (NZ) - Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, William O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry

Must Picks

IND - Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja

NZ -  Rachin Ravindra, Ajaz Patel

IND vs NZ Fantasy Team

Wicket-Keeper : Devon Conway, Rishabh Pant

Batters : Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tom Latham, Sarfaraz Khan

All-rounder : Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips

Bowlers : Ajaz Patel

Captain and Vice-Captain picks

Captain : Ravindra Jadeja

Vice-Captain : Rachin Ravindra

Prediction

Despite losing the first game, India are expected to regain their mojo with a win in Pune, considering their all-round attack and home advantage. Rohit Sharma & Boys will leave no stone unturned to outplay the Kiwis in this game. Hence, India are favorites to win this clash.

Sportco predicts India to beat New Zealand in the second Test of the three-match Test series.

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Cover Credits - Sky Sports