IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Pitch, Weather Report, Probable Playing 11, Streaming Details: After losing the first Test by 8 wickets, India is all set for a challenging second Test match vs New Zealand. The match will take place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Since India is trailing in the series 0-1, they will be looking forward to mounting a strong comeback and avoiding what could be a rare home series defeat as well as keeping their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 hopes alive.
Traditionally, the Indian team prefers to dominate its opponents on home advantage, but this was not the case in the 1st Test. Even after picking a few early wickets, India’s bowling attack was unable to contain batsmen Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham, among others, from New Zealand’s steely batting efforts. India managed to register the lowest-ever score of 46 in an inning while playing on Indian soil.
Most of these chances came due to poor batting from the Indian side, highlighted by a century from Rachin Ravindra in the first inning and in conjunction with Latham in the second inning, where the match was won. The Kiwis’ seam attack, especially that of Will O’Rourke and Matt Henry, proved too expensive for the Indians as they were bowled out for a small score. They already have one game in hand, and so New Zealand is in the driving seat, but they will meet an aggressive Indian side in Pune.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test Pitch Report:
The pitch at Pune’s MCA Stadium, while known to support the seamers, is favorable to the spinners, especially from Day 3 onwards. A slow-turning black soil pitch has been prepared for the 2nd test match at Pune. This has been a batting strip where the first inning has been beneficial in the past, with some assistance for the fast bowlers early on and then becoming a batsman’s paradise later in the game. On Days Four and Five, spinners will probably affect the game.
Also Read: IND vs NZ 2nd Test: A Flatter And Slower Pitch In Making At Pune
And because of the expected nature of the surface, teams tend to include an extra spinner in their playing XI. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be important for India, while Ajaz Patel will be important for New Zealand.
Weather Report
The weather is expected to be very good for the match, and the entire period will have clear skies. The warm weather, with temperatures ranging between 28 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, will have no rain breaks; hence, the weather is very conducive for playing cricket.
Probable Playing XI of IND vs NZ 2nd Test
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
India may either change the order of their top order or add an extra spinner since it is expected to turn on days 4 and 5. Shubhman Gill could be given a chance after sitting out for the first Test, and Ashwin is expected to come into India’s fold to strengthen their spin department.
Also Read: Updated WTC 2025 Points Table After IND vs NZ 1st Test match
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Tim Southee, Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Daryl Mitchell, and William O’Rourke
New Zealand is expected to stick with the same combination that helped them clinch the 1st Test, with Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry also remaining as prominent all-rounders. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner’s roles will be vital in countering the weaknesses India has against spin bowlers.
Streaming Details:
The match will be broadcast live for fans on the Sports18 channel. Moreover, the match will be available for streaming on Jio Cinema from 9:30 AM IST.
