New Zealand, who will be brimming with confidence after the first Test win, will look to register another clean sweep in the Tests after the ODI series when they lock horns in the second and final Test starting from February 29 (Saturday) at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. On the other hand, Virat Kohli & Co will be keen to fight back and end the tour on a high.
India dropped points for the first time in the ICC World Test Championship after a humiliating drubbing in the first Test. The star-studded batting line-up failed to stand up to the task against the Kiwi quicks. With Christchurch offering another green surface, the batsmen will have their task cut out once again. The playing XI is likely to witness a few changes with Shubman Gill in line to make his Test debut on the back of some serious scoring for India A.
For New Zealand, the introduction of Neil Wagner in the playing XI after missing the Wellington Test will strengthen their bowling unit. The pace quartet of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Wagner will be charged to go up against the top-ranked Indian side. On the batting front, skipper Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls have shown resilience and will hope to carry on the good work and lead the Kiwis to a win.
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Date and Place: New Zealand vs India 2020: 2nd Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from February 29 (Saturday).
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.
Read More: BCB announces Asia XI squad for World T20s
Injury News
There is no news of injury from both India and New Zealand camps. Meanwhile, Neil Wagner, who missed the first Test owing to paternity leave has joined the squad and will be a part of the second Test in Christchurch.
Pitch Conditions
It’s probably safe to say the bowlers have a slight advantage if they can find swing, but a good batsman can get some runs as the bounce is true and the deck has some carry. Meanwhile, very few games have witnessed five days of play and the second Test between India and New Zealand is also likely to see an early finish.
Playing XI
India – Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand – Ross Taylor, Tim Southee, BJ Watling (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult, Tom Latham, Kyle Jamieson, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tom Blundell
Match Prediction
New Zealand have defied all adversities to end India’s seven-match winning streak in the ICC World Test Championship. Playing in home conditions, the Kiwis have posed all sorts of trouble to Indian batters bowling out India for 165 in the first innings and then for 191 runs in the second essay.
Meanwhile, the outcome of the second Test is unlikely to change and New Zealand play at home and the injection of Neil Wagner to the playing XI will only bolster their bowling unit. Kane Williamson & Co will start as the favourite and will be in a good position to clean sweep India in the Tests after the ODI series.
Dream 11
