India vs New Zealand – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is India vs New Zealand taking place? Thursday, November 25th, 2021 – 04:00 (UK)
Where is India vs New Zealand taking place? Green Park, Kanpur
What is the expected weather for India vs New Zealand? 25-28c dry with sunshine, and light winds across all five days
What channel is India vs New Zealand on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404)
Where can I stream India vs New Zealand? The match can be streamed live the SkyGo app
LAST MEETING
New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
INDIA
- India return to red ball cricket for the first time since their five-match tour of England was curtailed in September with a game to spare following a Covid-19 scare within the Indian camp.
- The hosts have proven themselves as a formidable Test match outfit at home, having been beaten just once in their own country since March 2017, underlining the scale of the achievement should New Zealand manage to overcome them here.
- With Test skipper Virat Kohli rested, Ajinkya Rahane will take over captaincy for this match, whilst opener Rohit Sharma and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah have also been rested, whilst India have a plethora of spin-bowler options to choose from including Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
New Zealand
- The last time New Zealand were in Test match action, the Black Caps completed a hugely impressive double triumph, backing up their World Test Championship final victory over India in Southampton with a 0-1 series victory over England after beating Joe Root’s side at Edgbaston.
- After sitting out of the three-match T20i series earlier in the month, captain Kane Williamson will come back into the side for this first Test and will play a key role with the bat against a formidable Indian spin-bowling attack.
- For New Zealand, both Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner represent their most potent spin-bowling options and with left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult rested, the likelihood is that both Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson will feature here in Kanpur.
THE PREDICTION
India comprehensively defeated New Zealand in the recent T20i series between the two sides and the expectation is that the hosts will enjoy a similar domination of this first Test. However, do not underestimate New Zealand, who have the ability to grind out a substantial total with the bat in their first innings, particularly if skipper Williamson is not dismissed early on. Having said that, Test matches played in India sees pitches traditionally begin to break up as games go on due to the consistent sunshine, thus leading to the ball turning dramatically in the final couple of days play, if not earlier. Assuming this first Test adopts a similar pattern, it should lead to India seizing the initiative as the contest goes on through their outstanding battery of spin-bowlers, who are expected to find a way through the New Zealand batting order and ultimately lead India to victory in this first Test.
