India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Stats Preview: Players records and approaching milestones

A mini blockathon effort from Rachin Ravindra took New Zealand to a draw in the first Test. Team India would now look to clinch the second and final Test, starting on December three at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, to extend their dominance at home. The hosts will welcome their regular Test captain Virat Kohli, who had opted for a rest in the preceding game. Notably, Virat and his men are eyeing a staggering 14th Test series win on the trot in home conditions.

Meanwhile, debutant Shreyas Iyer stole the show in the first Test as he scored a hundred and backed it up with another half-century. He was well supported by the consistent spin trio of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and especially Axar Patel, who is enjoying a dream start to his Test career. After setting a challenging target of 284, India looked well set for clinching a victory against the Blackcaps but Kane Williamson and especially Rachin Ravindra had other ideas as New Zealand snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat.

Speaking of the World Test champions, Tom Latham, Tim Southee, and Kyle Jamieson were all impressive in the first Test. The Kiwis who are still winless on this tour would like to end the tour on a winning note. Interestingly, New Zealand’s last victory on this shores came at Wankhede Stadium way back in the year 1988. Williamson himself will like to contribute more with the bat and help his team end the drought on Indian soil.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers ahead of the second Test between India and New Zealand:

Head-to-Head: India and New Zealand have faced each other 61 times in Tests. India has tasted success 21 times, losing 13 and 27 clashes were drawn. At home, Indian team has the wood over the Kiwis as they have beaten them 16 out of 35 times. 17 matches were drawn while Kiwis has managed to win only twice with coincidently their last victory coming at the Wankhede Stadium in 1988.

1 – Ishant Sharma (311) needs one wicket to go past Zaheer Khan (311) and become the fifth-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests.

4 – Virat Kohli needs four catches to complete 100 catches in Tests.

5 – Henry Nicholls needs five fours to reach 250 fours in Tests.

9 – Axar Patel needs nine wickets to reach 100 scalps across formats in international cricket.

33 – Shubman Gill is 33 runs away from reaching 500 runs in Tests.

1 – Ajinkya Rahane requires one fifty to complete 50 half-centuries across formats.

3 – Ajinkya Rahane needs three catches to complete 100 catches in Tests.

1 – Ishant Sharma needs one match to complete 200 internatioal matches across formats.

5 – Neil Wagner (229) requires five wickets to surpass Chris Martin (233) and become fifth highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in Tests.

14 – If India manage to win this Test, it will be their 14th consecutive series victory at home.

5 – Axar Patel (33) requires five wickets to overtake Narendra Hirwani (37) and become the Indian with most Test wickets after first five matches.

1988 – New Zealand won their last Test in India way back in 1988. That victory also came at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.