IND vs NZ 1st Test Live: As the T20I series is done & dusted, the focus now shifts towards the longer format of the game as India and New Zealand will lock horns in the 2-match Test series that gets underway on Thursday. The first Test will be played at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur from November 25-29 followed by the second Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai from December 03.
While India started off the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle on a positive note, New Zealand will begin its WTC title defence in Kanpur on Thursday with an eye on the maiden Test series win in India. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates
Also read: IND vs NZ LIVE: Neil Wagner wants ‘tired’ New Zealand to put a show, defend WTC title
IND vs NZ 1st Test Live: Resurgent New Zealand eyes maiden Test series win in India as they begin WTC title defence – Follow Live Updates
For India, the WTC 2021-23 cycle started on a positive note. The Virat Kohli-led side managed to remain in lead (2-1) against England in the five-match Test series, with one game left. And, now they will be eying to get off to an ideal start at home too.
While the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, M Shami & Rohit Sharma will be missing from the entire 2-match series, the regular skipper Virat Kohli will return for the second Test in Mumbai. However, they do have experienced campaigners in the likes of Ravindra Jadeja & R Ashwin in the spin department & Ishan Sharma and Umesh Yadav in the pace attack.
In Kohli’s absence, the hosts will be led by stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and vice-captain Cheteshwar Pujara in the first Test.
New Zealand, on the opposite, will be looking to better its records on Indian soil. Out of 34 Tests, the Kiwis have managed to win only 2 Test matches on Indian soil while 16 have ended in a draw.
The last time New Zealand played a Test match in India was half a decade ago in 2006 when they faced 3-0 whitewash in the Test series. Interestingly, the first Test of the 2006 series was played at Green Park, Kanpur. And, India won it by a huge margin of 197 runs.
However, like the hosts, the visitors have already begun preparations for the 2-match series. The likes of Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson opted out of the T20 series to focus on the Test series which shows the inaugural WTC winners are determined to break the shackles this time.
Date: 25 November – 29 November
Time: 09:30 AM IST
Venue: Green Park, Kanpur
Head-to-Head: IND vs NZ Test in India:
Total – 34
India – 16
New Zealand – 02
Draw – 16
Also read: IND vs NZ Test: Ross Taylor ready to face R Ashwin and Axar Patel, says spin will play big role
IND vs NZ Probable Playing XI:
India –
KL Rahul, Shubman Gill/Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer/Axar Patel, W Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, P Krishna
New Zealand –
Tom Latham, D Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner/Azaz Patel, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee
IND vs NZ live streaming: How to watch IND vs NZ live scores?
Star Sports Network is the official broadcaster for the New Zealand tour of India in India and other sub-continent regions. The Star Sports broadcasting network will live telecast all action of the upcoming event starting from Nov 17.
The live streaming of the mega event will also be available on digital platforms courtesy Disney+Hotstar App in India and other sub-continent regions.
INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND Squad
INDIA –
Ajinkya Rahane (c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, W Saha, Srikar Bharat, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, M Siraj, P Krishna
NEW ZEALAND –
Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, M Santner, W Somerville, D Mitchell, T Blundell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Kyle Jamieson, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner
