With the limited-overs series done and dusted, India and New Zealand will now lock horns in a two-match Test series starting from February 21 (Friday) at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The Kiwis are a tough nut to crack in home conditions while Virat Kohli & Co have done well across the globe which will make the upcoming encounter a mouth-watering clash.
India have received the much-needed booster in the form of Ishant Sharma ahead of the series. The tall and lanky fast bowler has passed the fitness test and has joined the squad in Wellington. However, the top-ranked Test side will be wary with the opening pair. With Mayank Agarwal settled to start the innings, the management is in a dilemma to choose his partner. Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill are in the runnings with Hanuma Vihari, who has thrown his hat in the ring with a fine knock in the warm-up game.
On the other hand, New Zealand will hope to get Neil Wagner for the first Test. He is expecting his first child and has not joined the squad yet. He is scheduled to join on Thursday which looks highly unlikely. If Wagner fails to make it, debutant Kyle Jamieson is likely to get a nod ahead of Matt Henry, who was called as a cover-up for the left-arm pacer. Meanwhile, the batters will face a stern challenge from the in-form Indian bowlers which will be an exciting battle to watch out for.
Read More: Virat Kohli issues warning ahead of the 1st Test
Date and Place: New Zealand vs India 2020: 1st Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington from February 21 (Friday).
Dream 11 Fantasy Tips
First of all, it is crucial to select a team. As they say in cricket, you don’t score any runs in the dressing room. Similarly, a player who is not playing cannot score points for you. In fact, Dream 11 has brought a change in its rule by which you can alter your team even after the toss.
Thus, you can pick your team according to the playing XI of both sides. Secondly, it is pivotal to pick the right combination of captain and vice-captain. A captain gets twice the points whereas the deputy of the team receives points at 1.5 times.
Thus, it is imperative to select the in-form players as your respective captain and vice-captain. It is also crucial to get top-order batsmen in the team. They are likely to score the major chunk of the score. Furthermore, it is pivotal to check the pitch conditions and select the team accordingly.
Injury News
India fast bowler Ishant Sharma has regained full fitness and is raring to take the field in the first Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
On the other hand, New Zealand have called in Matt Henry as a cover-up for Neil Wagner. Meanwhile, Wagner is not injured but is expecting his first child and has not joined the camp yet.
Read More: New Zealand vs India 2020: 3 Indians to watch out for in the Test series
Pitch Conditions
Nestled beneath Mount Victoria and Mount Cook, the Basin Reserve is an island of cricket in inner-city Wellington. It is a perfect ground for the spectators to relax and watch a match over five days. The wicket is likely to favour the bowlers as it has done in the past. It will be a feast for the fast bowlers from both the camps.
However, there will be something for the batters as well and once set, they can score good runs in the wicket. All in all, it will be a good sporting wicket and one can expect a result out of it.
Match Prediction
Although New Zealand play in their own conditions, this Indian side has done well across the globe. Virat Kohli & his boys have exceedingly well in the last few years and the upcoming series will be no different. Despite a drubbing in the ODIs, the visitors will come all guns blazing and are likely to keep their winning run going in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.
Dream 11 Team
