New Zealand will face India in a three-match Test series starting on October 16,as part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, will be looking to build on their recent home success against Bangladesh. The three-Test series will kick off on October 16 in Bengaluru, followed by the second Test in Pune starting on October 24, and the final Test in Mumbai from November 1. With the series taking place in India, where conditions often favour spin, New Zealand will look to overcome their poor track record if they are to pose a serious challenge to the hosts.

New Zealand’s WTC history and challenges ahead

The Blackcaps famously defeated India in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) 2021 final at Lord’s but have struggled since then. Their upcoming tour will be their second visit to India after that historic final. During their last encounter in India in the 2021-23 WTC cycle, New Zealand lost the two-match series 1-0. Moreover, New Zealand have yet to win a Test series in India, with their last Test victory on Indian soil dating back to 1988. Currently, India are ranked first in the WTC standings, with a commanding 74.24 Percentage Points (PCT), while New Zealand, struggling at sixth place with 37.50 PCT, will need a remarkable turnaround to keep their WTC final hopes alive.

Setbacks for New Zealand before the series

New Zealand’s prospects have suffered a significant setback even before the series opener, as their star batter Kane Williamson has been ruled out with a groin injury. Adding to the challenge, veteran pacer Tim Southee has stepped down from captaincy, leaving the reins to Tom Latham, who now faces the daunting task of leading the side at one of the toughest venues for visiting teams. The pressure is mounting after New Zealand’s recent 2-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka, making this upcoming tour of India even more critical for the side.

Also READ: BCCI announces Test squad for the New Zealand series, names Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain

New Zealand’s top-choice playing XI for the Test series against India:

1. Devon Conway (Opener, Left-Handed Batter)

Strength: Conway is New Zealand’s most reliable opener, known for his adaptability and consistent run-scoring. He has a solid technique to counter India’s quality pace and spin attacks.
Role on Indian Pitches: Conway’s strength against both pace and spin makes him a key player on the slow Indian wickets. His ability to anchor the innings will be crucial.

2. Will Young (Opener, Right-Handed Batter)

Strength: Young is a patient batter, known for playing long innings. He complements Conway’s more aggressive style.
Role on Indian Pitches: Young’s temperament will be important on Indian pitches that offer variable bounce, especially in the early overs. He will be tasked with handling the new ball and building partnerships.

3. Tom Latham (c) (Left-Handed Batter, Wicketkeeper)

Strength: Latham is an experienced player and a dependable middle-order batter. As captain, his leadership and wicketkeeping skills are vital.
Role on Indian Pitches: Latham’s ability to play spin effectively will make him crucial in the middle overs. His tactical awareness will be key in making field changes and bowling decisions.

4. Daryl Mitchell (Right-Handed Batter, Right-Arm Medium)

Strength: Mitchell is a powerful middle-order batter and a handy medium-pace bowler. His aggressive stroke play can shift momentum quickly.
Role on Indian Pitches: On Indian pitches, Mitchell’s ability to accelerate against spinners in the middle overs is important. His medium pace can also be useful in breaking partnerships.

5. Glenn Phillips (Right-Handed Batter, Off-Spin Bowler)

Strength: Phillips is an explosive middle-order batter with the ability to clear boundaries. His off-spin bowling provides an extra option.
Role on Indian Pitches: Phillips’ batting against spinners can be decisive on slower pitches. His off-spin bowling is a bonus in conditions that support turn.

6. Rachin Ravindra (Left-Handed All-Rounder, Left-Arm Spin)

Strength: Ravindra brings balance to the side with his all-round abilities. His left-arm spin and middle-order batting are key assets.
Role on Indian Pitches: Ravindra’s left-arm spin will be crucial on turning Indian tracks, and his lower-order batting could add vital runs.

7. Mitchell Santner (Left-Arm Spinner, Left-Handed Batter)

Strength: Santner is an experienced all-rounder who excels in controlling the middle overs with his accurate spin bowling.
Role on Indian Pitches: On Indian wickets, Santner’s role as the lead spinner will be essential, especially in containing runs and picking key wickets during the middle overs.

8. Tim Southee (Right-Arm Fast Bowler)

Strength: Southee is the leader of New Zealand’s pace attack. He’s known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and for his experience in pressure situations.
Role on Indian Pitches: While Indian conditions may not favor swing bowling, Southee’s experience and ability to hit the right lengths will be key in extracting reverse swing.

9. Matt Henry (Right-Arm Fast Bowler)

Strength: Henry is a versatile fast bowler with the ability to generate bounce and movement. His ability to bowl in both powerplays and at the death makes him a key player.
Role on Indian Pitches: In India, Henry’s pace and control will be important, especially in the early overs when the ball still has some hardness. His ability to bowl cutters will be useful on slower surfaces.

10. Ajaz Patel (Left-Arm Spinner)

Strength: Patel is a specialist left-arm spinner who has a good track record in subcontinent conditions, including a 10-wicket haul in India.
Role on Indian Pitches: On turning tracks in India, Patel’s accuracy and ability to extract turn will make him a dangerous bowler, especially against right-handed batters.

11. William O’Rourke (Right-Arm Fast Bowler)

Strength: O’Rourke is a promising fast bowler with the potential to provide breakthroughs at crucial moments.
Role on Indian Pitches: In Indian conditions, O’Rourke’s role will be to bowl with pace and extract bounce, targeting the top order effectively. His ability to reverse swing will also be critical in the latter stages of the innings.

Kane Williamson’s absence and potential return

Williamson, New Zealand’s premier batter, is out of the squad for the first part of the series due to injury. His absence leaves a void in the top order as he is a key figure in handling both pace and spin effectively, particularly in Indian conditions where his technique excels. Williamson’s return will depend on his recovery and fitness, and the New Zealand Cricket Board’s confirmation. Should he regain fitness during the series, his inclusion would greatly strengthen New Zealand’s batting lineup, providing stability and experience at the crucial number three position.

Also READ: New Zealand announces Test squad for India tour; Kane Williamson’s availability uncertain

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