India v New Zeland, 1st Test Preview: India holds all the cards ahead of 500th Test

The 500th Test match for India will be a massively festive occasion with the Indian players expected to put on a massive show for the fans who will be present at the Green Park Stadium. While the Kiwis most certainly have fears wherein the behavior will play a massive part, it remains to be seen how the wicket will turn out. That said, a mouthwatering encounter is most certainly on the cards when these two sides face-off against each other.

Pitch Conditions

Traditionally and historically, the Green Park Stadium is known to offer a world of turn. Thus, as far as the spinners would be concerned, it would seem quite clear on what is expected of them. While the Kiwis have their well-documented issues, the Indians are concerned about the rains that have engulfed the Green Park. The last thing the Indians would want is to be left standing at the altar with yet another opportunity at the World No. 1 ranking out of their grasp.

Team Analysis

India

For the Indians, a win is something that is the only acceptable result. Of course, there are those who do not accept a loss being such staunch fans of the sport. However, with the occasion being as massive as it almost seems to elude those associated in one way or another to the match.

However, as far as India will be concerned, it will be just another match, something they will be expected to perform to the best of their abilities. Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli will once again be looking to get their heads together and work out a way in which they can neutralize the threat posed by the Kiwis.

The spotlight, in this case, will well and truly be on Ravichandran Ashwin. The 30-year old who impressed quite a bit in the West Indies tour will be hoping to make it count against New Zealand. Moreover, with an impressive wicket-taking record beckoning for Ashwin, it seems as though Ashwin does indeed have quite a bit to play for.

New Zealand

While the hosts are flying high following wins in their last few series, Kane Williamson and his New Zealand will be hoping that they can take the fight to the Indians when their opponents are perhaps at their undisputed best.

Apart from a few disappointments in the warm-up match, the Kiwis found a few positives in the fact that Luke Ronchi and Tom Latham impressed. However, they were pegged back shortly afterward by a few injuries to Tim Southee and Jimmy Neesham.

That said, the Kiwis will be expected to give the Indians a run for their money in spite of the home side being the undisputed favorites in this case.

Playing XI (Probable)

India:

Virat Kohli (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Amit Mishra/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami

New Zealand:

Kane Williamson (C), BJ Watling (WK), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Luke Ronchi/Henry Nicholls, Doug Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner

Last 5 Tests results of both the teams:

(last five completed matches, most recent first)

India: D W D W W
New Zealand: L D W W L

Match Details:

September 22-26, 2016
Start time 0930 local (0400 GMT)
Venue: Green Park, Kanpur

StAttack

1. In the head to head against each other, India and New Zealand have faced-off against each other 19 times in Test series. The Indians have a head-to-head advantage here having claimed 10 series wins while the Kiwis have just 5 to their name. The rest have been drawn.

2. New Zealand has never won a Test series in India.

3. India has won four of the last five Test matches at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Ironically, one of these wins includes an 8-wicket win over New Zealand in 1999.

4. A Test match has not been played at this venue since November 2009. India claimed an innings win in that match against Sri Lanka by an innings and 144 runs.

5. Kane Williamson requires 4 runs to complete 500 runs against India in Test matches.

6. Ross Taylor requires two centuries to equal the record of most number of Test-match tons set by Martin Crowe (17). Kane Williamson requires 3 centuries to do the same.

7. Neil Wagner requires 6 wickets to complete 100 Test match wickets. Similarly, Ravi Ashwin requires 7 wickets to complete 200 Test wickets. If he does so, he will equal the record set by Clarie Grimmett.