Team India skipper Virat Kohli has issued a warning to New Zealand ahead of the two-match Test series which starts from February 21 (Friday) in Wellington. Kohli & Co will be desperate to win the series after suffering a humiliating 3-0 loss in the ODIs for the first time in over three decades.
However, India are currently the best outfit in red-ball cricket. They have dominated across all conditions in the last two-three years and occupy the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings for teams. Virat Kohli & Co also sits atop in the points table of the ICC World Test Championship winning all of their seven matches so far.
India have the most complete side so far with the bowlers backing the batters beautifully. Especially, the fast bowling unit comprising of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma have done exceedingly well in recent time making the best quartet India have ever had. Skipper Virat Kohli also sounded confident ahead of the Test series as they look to continue their winning run in the Test Championship.
Read More: Virat Kohli to retire from T20Is? The Indian skipper answers
“We have prepared in a manner where our fitness levels and concentration levels are such that we can compete against anyone in the world,” Virat Kohli said ahead of the first Test. “That’s the kind of confidence we will carry into this series," he added.
Meanwhile, India will face a dilemma with their opening combination ahead of the first Test. While Mayank Agarwal has settled his berth, it will be interesting who comes out to bat with him. One of Prithvi Shaw and Shubhman Gill is likely to open the innings for India with the bat as the top-ranked side will get another new opening pair in Tests.