As the anticipation builds for the much-awaited Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, weather concerns cast a shadow over the encounter, reminiscent of India’s experience at the outset of their previous Test in Kanpur. With significant World Test Championship points hanging in the balance, both teams are eager for a full match, with India eyeing control and victory on home turf. The Indian squad, operating in their familiar environment, looks to capitalize on their home advantage. However, the weather in Bengaluru, with its potentially overcast skies, might offer New Zealand some respite.
Following their 2-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka, the New Zealand team faces a substantial task ahead. With a new captain at the helm and key player Kane Williamson absent, the team is undergoing a period of transition. Adapting to the foreign pitches in India presents a considerable hurdle, especially when hindered by adverse weather conditions. This challenge becomes even more daunting against an Indian team favored to succeed at home. Despite these odds, the New Zealanders will lean on the experience of key players. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell, supported by their white-ball experiences in India, provide a glimmer of hope. Additionally, Tom Latham, the newly appointed Test captain, brings confidence having secured five fifties recently. Tim Southee and Ajaz Patel also bring past performances to bolster team morale, with Patel’s astonishing ten-wicket haul in Mumbai standing out.
Facing off against India at home is a formidable challenge for any team—India boasts a well-rounded squad with strength in both batting and bowling, supported by the form of key players. Still, there’s room for improvement, particularly for heavyweights like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have yet to hit half-centuries in recent Tests against Bangladesh. With the looming series Down Under, both players are determined to find their form.
Scheduled for a 9:30 AM IST start on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Test is anticipated to face interruptions by rain, especially on the first day. While this might offer the visiting New Zealand squad some welcome adjustment time, the home team is keen to utilize its in-depth knowledge of local pitch conditions.
. A day ahead of the match, the pitch remains under covers, and the retained moisture may influence teams to consider additional pace options.
The Indian team managed a thorough practice session as the rains subsided two days before the scheduled match but faced challenges a day prior. Shubman Gill’s involvement was limited during these drills owing to a niggle, making room for Sarfaraz Khan in the slip-catching exercises. The conditions could prompt India to persist with a third seamer, continuing an unchanged bowling lineup for the third Test running.
India’s Probable XI features Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers, Shubman Gill (if fit), and Virat Kohli at the heart of the batting lineup. Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin add depth, while the pace attack is led by Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, and Jasprit Bumrah.
For New Zealand, Will Young steps in for Kane Williamson. The strategic choice between playing an additional pacer or retaining Mitchell Santner hinges on the need for robustness in the pace department, with Matt Henry available.
New Zealand’s Probable XI includes Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Will Young at the top, with Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Blundell as core batters. Glenn Phillips complements their middle order alongside all-rounders Santner or Southee. Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, and Ajaz Patel complete the lineup.
Several intriguing narratives accompany these two illustrious cricketing nations into this Test match. Virat Kohli is merely 53 shy of reaching 9000 Test runs but has struggled to breach half-centuries in his last six innings this year. Historically, New Zealand’s Test success in India has been sparse; they have never won a series and last tasted victory in a Test match here in 1988.
The toss could hold significant strategic implications too, with a potential shift in the usual trend of chasing targets in consecutive Tests if the conditions deviate from the norm. Anticipation builds as players and fans alike hope for clear skies and an enthralling cricketing contest.