In a thrilling turn of events, New Zealand has emerged victorious in their first Test against India on Indian soil since 1988, marking a significant moment in cricket history. With the momentum firmly on their side, the Kiwis now have the opportunity to hand India their first home series defeat since 2012 against England.
The upcoming match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 23rd October at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India. The weather forecast looks promising with no rain expected over the five days of play, and bright sunshine and temperatures reaching 30c predicted.
India, who were on a six-match winning streak, saw their impressive run come to an abrupt halt in Bengaluru. A dramatic first innings collapse, where they were bowled out for just 46, their lowest home Test score and third lowest of all-time, set the stage for a challenging match. Despite a valiant effort in the third innings, India succumbed to a defeat by eight wickets.
In contrast, New Zealand ended their five-match winless streak in style by dominating the opening Test. They capitalized on bowling out India for 46 by posting 402 in response, ultimately chasing down a target of just over 107 runs in the fourth innings to secure a comprehensive victory.
In terms of betting analysis, Rishabh Pant’s impressive performances stood out for India, with a top score of 20 in the first innings followed by 99 in the second. Pant’s aggressive style of play will be key for India in the upcoming match, making him a strong candidate to finish as India’s top first innings batsman.
On the New Zealand side, Rachin Ravindra proved to be a standout player in the first Test by scoring a superb 134 runs in the first innings and remaining unbeaten with 39 in the fourth innings. His consistent performance in subcontinental conditions makes him a solid pick to score 70+ runs in the second Test at even odds.
As experts weigh in on the India vs New Zealand match, predictions are divided on the outcome. With the series finely poised, the stage is set for an intense battle between two formidable cricketing nations. It remains to be seen whether New Zealand can maintain their winning momentum or if India will bounce back with a vengeance on their home turf.