As the cricketing world shifts its gaze to Pune, the stakes are high for both India and New Zealand in the ongoing Test series. The much-debated conditions during the first Test in Bengaluru have set the stage for an intriguing battle at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Pune presents New Zealand with a shot at making history, as they prepare to tackle what are anticipated to be considerably drier pitch conditions compared to Bengaluru. The prospect of overcoming India on their home turf presents both challenges and opportunities for the visitors, who must adapt their strategy accordingly.
During the first Test, Rohit Sharma’s interpretation of the pitch conditions in Bengaluru proved to be less effective, allowing New Zealand to capitalize on conditions that favored them more than expected. As the teams gear up for the Pune encounter, much speculation surrounds how New Zealand can continue their momentum and potentially exploit any missteps by the Indian side. The primary challenge lies in whether their bowlers, particularly the pacers, can find innovative ways to challenge the Indian batting line-up if the pitch offers limited assistance. Moreover, the onus will be on New Zealand’s spinners to step up. They had a subdued performance in Bengaluru, and with conditions potentially suiting them more in Pune, their role could be pivotal.
The shorter turnaround time between the three Tests in this series may inadvertently tip the scales slightly in favor of the touring team. New Zealand will aim to leverage the confidence boost gained from their hard-fought victory in the first Test. Crucially, this win was achieved despite underwhelming contributions from experienced batsmen such as Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand will hope that these players find form in Pune, bolstering the team’s batting strength and better positioning the side for success.
For India, the aftermath of a disappointing first-innings performance in Bengaluru has been somewhat tempered by significant contributions from stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom registered vital fifties. India’s aggressive batting stance, which played a part in their collapse to a meager total of 46, reflects a broader positive shift towards assertive play. However, they recognize the necessity of executing this approach judiciously, aiming to balance aggression with situational awareness.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate underscored the importance of this balance, highlighting how the structure of the World Test Championship influences teams’ strategies. “In the WTC, where draws yield minimal rewards and victories far outweigh them, pushing the game forward demands bravery,” said ten Doeschate.
. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the players are adept at making bold play decisions when the situation calls for it.
India faces a challenging scenario should they lose in Pune. Such a result would mean India must win four out of their remaining six Tests, largely taking place in Australia, to reach the WTC final without depending on other results. As such, earning a victory at home becomes crucial.
Weather-wise, unpredictable elements could play a role, with intermittent rain having occurred in the lead-up to the Test, alongside hot afternoon conditions. The pitch appears dry with preparatory work underway to eliminate grass, thereby setting the stage for spinners to influence the game significantly.
Selection poses its own set of dilemmas for both sides. For India, Sarfaraz Khan’s spectacular 150 in the first Test poses a selection conundrum alongside the return of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant from injury. This could cast doubt over KL Rahul’s spot in the playing eleven. Simultaneously, bowling strategies could see the inclusion of Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav, especially given the former’s potential effectiveness against left-handers. Mohammed Siraj’s recent form might also prompt a reconsideration in favor of Akash Deep.
New Zealand, freed from the decision of including or excluding Kane Williamson due to his absence, can now focus on leveraging their line-up to suit Pune’s conditions. While their seamers delivered key performances in Bengaluru, the dryness of the Pune pitch might persuade the inclusion of an additional spinner, leading to another tricky selection puzzle.
Did you know New Zealand captain Tom Latham explained, “The surface might be a bit different, so while we played three spinners last game, any further lineup changes will hinge on our final pitch assessment.” Importantly, they aim to replicate their bowlers’ earlier success at adapting to pitch conditions swiftly.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is poised to make history by breaking the record for most sixes in a calendar year for Tests, needing only four to equal the tally. Additionally, Rohit Sharma is within striking distance of breaking the all-time Indian record for most Test sixes, needing just two more.
As cricketing action returns to Pune, both teams grapple with formidable questions, from batting balance to weather considerations, painting a captivating picture of a Test series teetering on the brink of the extraordinary.