India vs New Zealand: India and New Zealand are set for a thrilling 2nd Test. India, playing at home, has a strong advantage with their spinners and batting lineup. New Zealand, the reigning World Test Champions, are a formidable opponent with their disciplined pace attack and improving spin play.

This match could be a turning point in the series, with both teams eager to prove their dominance.

Match Details:

Match Details: India vs. New Zealand, 2nd Test

• Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024 – Monday, October 28, 2024

• Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune

• Time: 9:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time)

Team News:

India:

Shubman Gill’s return to the Indian lineup after missing the first Test creates a selection dilemma. Sarfaraz Khan, who impressed with a century in the previous match, and KL Rahul are both vying for a spot in the XI.

Mohammed Shami will continue to be absent from the series due to his knee injury.

New Zealand:

Kane Williamson’s absence from the second Test due to a groin injury is a significant setback for New Zealand. His experience and batting prowess will be missed.

Michael Bracewell has returned home for personal reasons, and Ish Sodhi has been named as his replacement for the remainder of the series.

India vs New Zealand Head-To-Head:

• Matches Played: 62
• India Wins: 22
• New Zealand Wins: 13
• Draws: 27

Form Guide:

India: W-L-W-W-W

New Zealand: W-W-L-W-L

Last 5 Matches:

• 1st Test (Oct 16-20, 2024): India lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets
• 2nd Test (March 4-8, 2024): India won by an innings and 83 runs
• 3rd Test (March 12-16, 2024): India won by 5 wickets
• 1st Test (Dec 26-30, 2023): India won by 167 runs​
• 2nd Test (Jan 4-8, 2024): India won by 7 wickets​

Possible Lineup:

India Probable XI:

• Rohit Sharma (C)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

• Shubman Gill

• Virat Kohli

• Rishabh Pant (WK)

• Sarfaraz Khan

• Ravindra Jadeja

• Ravichandran Ashwin

• Washington Sundar/Kuldeep Yadav

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Mohammed Siraj/Akash Deep

New Zealand Probable XI:

• Tom Latham (C)

• Devon Conway

• Will Young

• Rachin Ravindra

• Daryl Mitchell

• Tom Blundell (WK)

• Glenn Phillips

• Mitchell Santner

• Tim Southee

• Ajaz Patel

• William O’Rourke

Key Players To Watch:

India:

• Rohit Sharma: Rohit Sharma is a crucial player for India. As captain and a leading batsman, his experience and leadership will be invaluable in guiding the team to success in the second Test.
• Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli is a crucial player for India. His recent century in the first Test highlights his form and importance to the team’s batting lineup. Kohli’s experience and ability to contribute significantly to the match will be crucial for India’s success.
• Ravindra Jadeja: Ravindra Jadeja is a valuable asset to the Indian team. His all-round skills, particularly his spin bowling and batting, are crucial in conditions favoring spinners. Jadeja’s ability to exploit left-handers and contribute to the batting lineup makes him a key player for India.

New Zealand:

• Tom Latham (C): Tom Latham will be a crucial figure for New Zealand as the stand-in captain. His leadership and batting abilities will be particularly important in the absence of Kane Williamson due to injury.

• Ravindra Ravindra: He is a key player for New Zealand, excelling with both bat and ball. His ability to contribute in crucial moments is vital.
• Tim Southee: He is a key pacer for New Zealand. His strong performance in the first Test was crucial for their victory.

SWOT Analysis: India vs New Zealand:

India:

Strengths:

• Batting Depth: India boasts a formidable batting lineup, featuring experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who are capable of scoring substantial runs. Their depth and quality give them a significant advantage in batting.
• Spin Bowling Advantage: India’s strong spin bowling attack, featuring Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will be a significant advantage on the likely dry pitch in Pune.

Weaknesses:

• Batting Struggles: India’s batting lineup has faced significant pressure following their disappointing performance in the first Test, where they were bowled out for a low score of 46.
• Injury Concerns for India: Injury concerns could play a significant role in the India team’s performance. While Shubman Gill is returning, the overall fitness and form of key players will be crucial to their success.

Opportunities:

• Home Field Advantage: Playing on familiar Indian pitches could give India a significant advantage over New Zealand, especially in exploiting spin-friendly conditions.
• Bounce Back Opportunity: The India team has a chance to redeem themselves after the first Test loss and build momentum for the rest of the series.

Threats:

• New Zealand’s Confidence Boost: New Zealand is entering the second Test with high confidence after their victory in the first match. This will be a significant challenge for India.
• Key Performers: Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra have been key performers for New Zealand. If they continue their strong form, they could pose a significant threat to the India batting lineup.

New Zealand:

Strengths:

• Bowling Attack: New Zealand has a balanced bowling lineup, featuring experienced pacers and spinners. This allows them to adapt to different conditions and challenge Indian batsmen with a variety of bowling options.

• Rising Star: Rachin Ravindra is a promising young player who can contribute significantly to both batting and bowling. His emergence is a positive sign for the team’s future.

Weaknesses:

• • Injury Blow for New Zealand: The absence of Kane Williamson due to injury is a significant setback for New Zealand’s batting order.

• Inconsistency: The inconsistency in batting from some senior players within the New Zealand team could pose a challenge.

Opportunities:

• Building on Momentum: New Zealand’s recent victory can provide them with the momentum to continue pressuring the Indian side and maintain their dominance in the series.
• Targeting India’s Lower Order: New Zealand can capitalize on the weaknesses in India’s lower-order batting, which were exposed in the first Test.

Threats:

• India’s Home Advantage: Playing in familiar conditions can provide India with a significant advantage over New Zealand.

• Pressure in High-Stakes Matches: The pressure of the series and challenging conditions could make it difficult for both India and New Zealand to manage the mental aspect of the game.

India vs New Zealand Prediction:

India is predicted to win the 2nd Test against New Zealand in Pune. Their strong batting lineup and home advantage give them an edge. New Zealand, despite their recent victory, will face a tough challenge. The match is expected to be closely contested.

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