IND vs NZ 2024: 1st Test match preview

Red-ball cricket returns to Bengaluru after a gap of two and a half years, as India take on New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first of the three Tests from Wednesday, October 16. Rohit Sharma and his men have already been involved in preparatory net sessions at the venue ahead of the series, while the visiting team has also done a fair bit of assessment for the game.

Speaking more of New Zealand, they haven't won a series away from home for more than three years, and the conditions in Bengaluru may assist them just right to set the tone for the series. India, however, haven't lost a series since their defeat to England back in 2012, and thus, a closely-fought contest is definitely up on the cards.

Match Details

Pitch Report

The city of Bengaluru has been receiving a regular rainfall over the half a week or so, and the day before the game, teams weren't able to practice owing to a heavy downpour. The weather forecast also suggests that the rain threats loom over the entirety of the match, and thus, pacers are expected to gain advantage out of the overcast conditions.

The surface at Chinnaswamy has always been known for its assistance to batters and the flat nature it boasts. Hence, run scoring won't be a problem either. The team winning the toss will be looking to bowl first, though, so they can pull out maximum benefit on the opening day itself.

Also Read: Explained: How the SubAir facility at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru works? All you need to know about drainage system at IND vs NZ 1st Test venue

Head-to-Head Records

The Head-to-Head history between India and New Zealand dates way back to 1955, when the former hosted the BlackCaps for a Test match in Hyderabad. Including the first-ever clash, both the teams have played 62 Tests so far, and India have had an upper hand 35.49 per cent of the games, 22 in numbers. New Zealand, on the other hand, have won just 13, whereas 27 matches were drawn.

Also Read: Flashback: When India last hosted New Zealand for Test in Bengaluru

India vs New Zealand Probable Playing XIs

India

Rohit Sharma & Co are filled with confidence after whitewashing Bangladesh 2-0 in the recently concluded series. In fact, India are yet to lose a series at home since 2012, which shows their dominance in mother conditions. Given the kind of captain Rohit Sharma is, India are likely to enter the game with the same playing combination as the Kanpur Test versus Bangladesh.

Probable XI - Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand

The visiting team has been hurt with multiple setbacks ahead of the important series. Their star batter Kane Williamson won't be taking part in the Bengaluru encounter, while speedster Ben Sears has also been sidelined from the entire series, as Jacob Duffy has earned a maiden Test call-up. As a result, Will Young is expected to replace Williamson to bolster the Kiwis' batting line-up.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: Ben Sears ruled out due to knee injury

Probable XI - Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O'Rourke