India playing a test series at home, packs quite a punch, no matter who the opposition. After starring in a heroic 2-0 triumph in the Caribbean, the men in blue at back home adorning the whites to face up to the Kiwis. But even with the confidence at an all-time high the Virat Kohli led side will be at their watchful best as they take over the Kane Williamson powered New Zealand contingent. The exciting series, including 3 test matches and 5 ODI contests is looking ahead to square up interesting rivalries whilst promising a fitting contest. So, what can we expect from both India and New Zealand as they prepare to lock horns at the first test beginning at Kanpur, September 22?
It's been over a year since Dhoni retired from the tests, prompting Kohli to take up the leadership mantle. Viewers will be excited to see Kohli emerging with a few aces up his sleeve in leading a unit as promising and versatile as the one he currently has- including- Rohit, Pujara, Ashwin, B.Kumar and Rahane. Can he make the Kiwis fly off the park? We'll have to wait and see?
If there's one particular side that has consistently upped its game in the last 2 years, with the T20 winning Windies kept aside, it's New Zealand. After showing England what they are capable of in their own den earlier in 2015, where the Kiwis drew the tests and won some exciting one day games, even as they lost the ODI series, team India would do well not to take the tourists lightly, especially after seeing their dismissive form in ICC world cup 2015 where they nearly thumped the Aussies at their backyard.
The paltry resistance that West Indies batsmen offered in the Caribbean recently notwithstanding, there was one singular hero from India who made massive headlines in the West Indies: Off spinner R.Aswhin. He already has 193 Test wickets and 18 five-for's and most of his prized triumphs have come at home. The Kiwis will certainly be anxious whilst facing up to world's best off spinner at the moment. Can Ashwin reach the 200 wicket mark in this series?
There was a brief moment, a month and a half back, where India on defeating the Windies at St. Lucia climbed to the top of ICC's test rankings. But Pakistan, within days of toppling England at Lords edged out India. Now, the feeling is that, playing on batting friendly wickets, Team India has a great chance to edge past arch rivals Pakistan and climb back on the top if they defeat New Zealand. Moreover, India's own test record at home in the last 2 years has been incredible.
With an average of 45 with 12 test tons, captain Kohli is clearly the biggest threat facing the Kiwis at the moment. Moreover, he's got obdurate and technically sound batsmen of the class of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to offer able support to team India. With Rahane's test average nearing 50 and a Pujara looking to make amends for lackluster form, things could get worse for New Zealand if Indian batsmen stoke some blazes.
Clearly their most seasoned campaigner at the moment and a reliable spin ace, 23 year old New Zeland leggie, Ish Sodhi will look to challenge India at their home turf. He's a bowler who can surprise the best with his quicker ones and a beautiful googly and will look to push himself to his best in his maiden overseas tour to India. Though his wicket tally at 35 test scalps speaks less of his capability, his eagerness to better a relatively inexperienced career will come in handy.
He doesn't particularly enjoy stellar success in the test match format, a clear anomaly in his performance, which is quite extraordinary when seen from the One-day match lens, where Sharma has struck a world record 267. But being backed by the coach and captain can be a good sign and also one that gives you an opportunity to return the favour. Is Rohit Sharma listening?
With 177 test wickets, Tim Southee is clearly New Zealand's' most valuable bowler at the moment. But unfortunately for the 27 year old, he isn't playing in the tests, being ruled out owing to a sudden injury. So while Indian batsmen will breathe a sigh of relief, they will still have to settle well against the pace ace of Trent Boult, one of the fastest exponents of fast bowling that New Zealand has attacked with in the recent times. Moreover, with 158 wickets already under his belt, Boult will be eager to question the Indians' technique.
On their last trip to New Zealand, if there was one word that described India's form then it would be dismal! They lost the test series as well as the one day encounters by a thumping margin in what was clearly a one sided affair for New Zealand. The 4 one day losses and 1 test loss will be playing big on Kohli's mind as he will prepare to swat aside the Kiwi bowlers.
He's got more runs in test cricket than Kohli and at a better average. Interestingly, he's also scored more centuries than Kohli in test cricket and yet, Virat seems to edge out Kiwi captain Kane Williamson when it comes to commanding the mantle of the best batsmen in the world, this is of course when you isolate a certain AB De Villiers. But with both great batsmen possessing fine techniques and a hunger to play long innings, it will be very interesting to note what Kohli and Kane can account for as individual run scorers for their respective sides.
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