India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

The playing XI that the Indian side will field for the 2nd Test has become a major talking point.

Published - 02 Dec 2021, 14:18 IST | Updated - 02 Dec 2021, 14:18 IST

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The final day of the 1st Test match between India and New Zealand proved why Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. At the end of the 1st session on Day 5, New Zealand were cruising with their scorecard reading 79/1 and were looking solid.

But then, in the second session, the Kiwis lost 3 quick wickets and were reduced to 125/4. And, a flurry of wickets in the third session completely flipped the game in India’s favour. New Zealand were reduced to 155/9, and an Indian victory seemed inevitable at that point.

The final batting pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel had to play out more than 8 overs, and with the Indian spinners baying for their blood, it seemed a near-impossible task. But then, both Ravindra and Patel hung on defiantly, and New Zealand eked out a fighting draw. And, going into the second Test, the scoreline reads 0-0.

Going into the 2nd Test, two pillars of the Indian batting lineup, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane have their backs against the wall. The two veterans have been woefully short of runs, and both have not scored a single century in the whole of 2021.

And the splendid arrival of Shreyas Iyer (where the batter scored a century on debut) has made the selection process tougher. And, to add to all this, skipper Virat Kohli will be back for the 2nd Test, and the question of who will make way for Kohli is one that has hogged the limelight in recent times.

For New Zealand, even though the openers did a good job with the bat in the 1st Test, the Kiwi middle order still does not bear a ‘confident look’. Veteran Ross Taylor fell cheaply in both innings of the 1st Test, Henry Nicholls looked clueless against spin, and even the legendary Kane Williamson could not kick on and get a big score in both innings.

So, the 1st Test had a lot of drama, the momentum swung both ways, and in the end the match resulted in a stalemate. What does the 2nd Test between these two top sides have in store for us?

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch will keep both pacers and spinners interested. The seamers will get some help early on, and the spinners will also come into play as the match progresses. There is also a possibility of mild showers affecting play on Day 1 as well.

Playing Combinations for IND vs NZ

India

The playing XI that the Indian side will field for the 2nd Test has become a major talking point. Now, skipper Virat Kohli will walk into the playing XI, but the question is, which batter will make way for Kohli? Will India bite the bullet and drop Ajinkya Rahane? Will Mayank Agarwal face the axe?

Well, even though Rahane has endured a poor run, he is expected to get ‘one more chance’ on his home ground. And, with Shreyas Iyer producing a stellar show with the bat, he will also retain his place, and so will Cheteshwar Pujara. And, that will mean that Mayank Agarwal might not get a chance.

Wriddhiman Saha is also in doubt as well for this match due to a stiff neck, and KS Bharat might replace Saha in the side. Bharat might also move up the order and open the batting in the absence of Agarwal. Also, Ishant Sharma’s poor show with the ball in the 1st Test might mean that he might have to make way for Mohammed Siraj.

Predicted XI: Shubman Gill, KS Bharat (WK), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand

For New Zealand, the situation is far simpler. The Kiwis are expected to make only one change for this clash. Left-arm seamer Neil Wagner might come into the side and take the place of William Somerville. The rest of the players pick themselves.

Predicted XI: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, William Somerville/Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel