3 changes India must make in the second Test against New Zealand to level the series

2. Ravindra Jadeja in for Ravichandran Ashwin

Despite picking up three wickets (3/99), Ashwin might be dropped for the next fixture having failed to contribute with the bat in the first test match. The off-spinner has undoubtedly been a champion bowler for Team India especially in the longer format given his variations and the ability to provide breakthroughs irrespective of the conditions.

But his scores (0 and 4 runs) at Wellington when the team needed the lower order to come good might hand Ravindra Jadeja a place in the XI during the second test match. The slow left-arm orthodox bowler who is known for his athleticism on the field has been contributing vital runs for Virat Kohli’s men in test matches despite coming lower down the order.

Keeping in mind the batting collapse at Wellington, India might bring in Jadeja who has provided the confidence for the team with his much-improved batting performance over the last year or so. Moreover, in Hanuma Vihari who has five test wickets to his name with the best figures being 3/37, the visitors have got a useful part-time off-spinner in Ashwin’s absence. Hence, one might expect Ashwin to make way for Jadeja at Christchurch.