(Info4now, December 2, 2021)- India become a side which very delicately manage their standard with a number of good away performances. Under Virat Kohli, Indian test side showed some dazzling performances and the difference between a home series and an away series starts getting diminished. So whether New Zealand will be able to give India any fight in Kanpur was the most awaiting scenario of this format in recent times. A No. 1 side in ranking and meeting the Number 2. Still it was tough against a dominant Indian side which almost grabbed the full points in the first test at Green Park. But it was never out of the blue that New Zealand would come out of this uncomfortable zone and leave no stone unturned to let the opposition taste the temperament of a No. 1 side. As they are moving towards the IND vs NZ 2nd Test tomorrow at Wankhede, both the teams to produce full strength in the XI. 

Preview: IND vs NZ 2nd Test, New Zealand tour of India 2021

Captain Kohli’s inclusion being a must, one to leave the playing XI. It’s going to be a tough decision on the part of the camp. But, I think, for this particular game, the management may go with both Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Any massive decision can be taken before the South Africa tour. Mayank Agarwal looked very tentative against New Zealand’s pace attack and being less experienced than the middle order duo, he might be forced to be on the bench.

Ajinkya Rahane must be sent to open the innings to make sure of his ability to face the seamers. At No. 3, Virat Kohli is not in sublime touch and New Zealand will be hoping to get Kohli out as soon as possible. Pujara will be tested again and he should try to make runs with a better strike rate. Failing to keep pace with the game situation, Pujara is out of keeping with a test championship competition.

Wriddhiman Saha is to keep wicket. He makes the playing XI very infrequently. And it’s why he must not be sent to open the innings. Coming to play in the absence of Rishabh Pant, he must be given his place to play. Ravindra Jadeja is a complete all round star to appear in the lower middle order and Ashwin to follow him. Axar Patel must make the playing XI, as, for India, it’s very unnecessary to think about a third pacer on a home turf. Md. Siraj will probably replace Ishant Sharma. 

Neil Wagner to add more power to Kiwi pace attack

In the batting department, New Zealand have no problem. As we expected in the preview of the first game, Kiwis openers gave a solid performance. Will Young will still shake his head against his late decision of a review. Ashwin’s delivery clearly misses the leg stump and misses by a mile. Williamson and Ross Taylor have to take major control of the situation. Henry Nicholls is an important left hand batsmen in the side. So in the middle, the camp must be hoping for a left hand-right hand combination. Nicholls’s failure in the first game affects the score very badly.

As on Green Park, Kiwi pace bowlers do a terrific job, Wagner’s return is just a matter of time. Mitchell Santner to replace Azaz Patel. India have six right hand batsmen and for this reason, Will Somerville may be out of the playing XI. He has an excellent high arm action and played an important innings as a night watchman in the last innings. But the off-spinner’s exclusion is the only way to make way for a champion Wagner. Rachin Ravindra is a batsman and with his left arm orthodox spin, he keeps it very tight. He should be in the final XI. 

To Conclude 

The wicket of Wankhede will be better for the seamers. Still the captains must choose to bat first. In the Indian condition, there will always be something for the spinners as the game progresses. If New Zealand go for three pacers and two spinners, India must not show any interest in that. Rather they will go with the same combination, with all three spinners in the playing XI.

My Playing XXII: IND vs NZ 2nd Test, New Zealand tour of India 2021

India: Subhman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Md. Siraj and Umesh Yadav.

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamison, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner.