India will play New Zealand in the second Test, which starts on October 24 at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in an attempt to resurrect their ambitions of making it to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final. In the first Test, Rohit Sharma’s choice to bat first and the cloudy Bengaluru weather hurt India’s chances, as they lost by eight wickets.
India has to beat other teams at least three out seven of seven Test matches in the combined cycle of 2023-25 in order to reach the WTC. Finally, India may decide to adopt more spin friendly conditions in the Prozone, having important matches with Australia as well in Pune and Mumbai. These would be able to heat up their game and fight New Zealand because their spin based attack would suit them well.
The Pune Test is important, and India seeks to draw the series. The team of Rohit Sharma will make an effort to avoid the mistakes of the last match and to avoid WHM New Zealand’s pitfalls. The Indian field will have a desire to perform well because something like series is at stake in it. From October 24, the hosts will be counting on their spinners to turn the screws in their favour.
Head-To-Head Records:
India has the upper hand in the head-to-head competition between IND and NZ in Test matches, having won 22 of their 63 meetings with New Zealand, who have won 14 of them with 27 Tests ending in draws.
Who will win the match?
India vs. New Zealand is likely to be another closely fought game in the second test. The two teams will try as much as possible because of the game’s significance. Still, India has a big artillery in spin bowlers, and they have playing experience on these pitches as well.
All the accounts considered, it would seem that India is likely to emerge the winner on balance. Their spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be very instrumental in exploiting this New Zealand soft underbelly. In the meantime, the Indian batting team with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in their ranks will attempt to step up from the previous match in the first Test. The second test will be drawn, and the series will be leveled up at 1-1.
Match Details:
Details: Ind vs NZ 2nd Test
Venue: MCA Stadium In Pune
Date and Time: October 24-28, 9:30 AM
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