IND vs NZ 2nd Test: India will hope that the return of captain Virat Kohli will galvanize the side as they look to seal the series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The first test of the series ended in a pulsating draw as New Zealand played a tense last hour in Kanpur to deny the hosts a win. However, both teams will now hope to better their performance when they take the field starting on Thursday, in Mumbai. Follow Insidesport.in for all IND vs NZ LIVE updates.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test LIVE: Captain Kohli returns as India look to seal series at mysterious Wankhede – Follow LIVE Updates
The second Test between India and New Zealand will begin on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The game will see the return of India skipper Virat Kohli, however, his comeback has left some selection dilemma for the hosts. With Shreyas Iyer becoming the first Indian debutant to score a century and half-century in his debut Test, he cannot be dropped and with the poor form of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, the choice has been made all the more difficult on who should go out of the XI to make way for Virat Kohli.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Rahane and Pujara failed to impress with the bat in the first Test, and the road ahead looks difficult for the once-reliable Test batters. However, the management is expected to stick with these two for atleast the Mumbai Test. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha suffered a stiff neck in the first Test, so he might make way for Srikar Bharat who can also bat as an opener.
So in all probability, Virat Kohli will come in place of Mayank Agarwal into the lineup. Coming to the bowling scheme of things, Ishant Sharma looked completely out of sorts in the first Test, so Mohammed Siraj can be brought in to add further firepower to the bowling attack which already comprises Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.
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IND vs NZ 2nd Test LIVE: Captain Kohli returns as India look to seal series at mysterious Wankhede – Follow LIVE Updates
Talking about New Zealand, openers Will Young and Tom Latham were impressive with the bat, but the visitors will look to get more out of the middle-order, especially skipper Kane Williamson. Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee produced one of the best bowling performances by visiting pacers on an Asian pitch, but the inability to dismiss the lower-order will play on the mind of the visitors. The World Test Championship (WTC) winners will look to correct their mistakes and go one step ahead to register a memorable Test series win over India.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test LIVE: Captain Kohli returns as India look to seal series at mysterious Wankhede – Follow LIVE Updates
Pitch and weather report
As per the weather forecast, Rain is all set to play spoilsport on Day 1. Mumbai is facing persistent rain since December 1, just 48 hours ahead of the Test decider at Wankhede Stadium. Rains continued on the morning of December 2, but has stopped since, giving hope that we might have action on the cards on Day 1.
The pitch however remains mysterious, with conflicting reports surrounding the nature of the surface at the Wankhede. While the pitch aided seam movement during the 1st Phase of the IPL 2021, no cricket has been played since at the venue.
A generous bit of grass, which was present till Monday evening, was shaved off, particularly from the good length spots at both ends. Reports suggest that, on Tuesday, the groundsmen were also seen roughing up the surface using a brush. This could enable India’s spinners to get dangerous, as the ball would then grip the wicket nicely. India would then retain their spin trio, to go along with their two pacers.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test LIVE: Captain Kohli returns as India look to seal series at mysterious Wankhede – Follow LIVE Updates
India playing XI: Shubman Gill, KS Bharat, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand playing XI: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Rachin Ravindra, Will Sommerville, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel
For more sports news and India vs New Zealand LIVE updates, follow us at InsideSport.in
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