Deadline: February 21, 2020 at 4 AM IST
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Pitch report
There will be massive swing on offer on the first day for the pacers. The pitch otherwise has a reputation of producing even bounce, making it easier for the batsmen to hit through the line. To put things into perspective, there will be a neck-and-neck contest between bat and ball throughout five days.
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ images to get the data while making your fantasy team.
Wicketkeepers: Tom Latham
Batsmen: Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson (vc), Henry Nicholls
All-rounders: Colin de Grandhomme
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Power players
Ross Taylor scored a double-century in the previous Test at Basin Reserve, against Bangladesh last year. In all, he has scored 1,226 runs at 64.5 including 3 hundreds and 8 fifties at the venue. Given his recent form, more and more runs are on course.
Among other top performers at the venue are Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, and Henry Nicholls: all average over 50.
Value picks
In 6 Ranji matches, Cheteshwar Pujara managed 4 fifties and a double-hundred. In the practice match last week, he survived for 211 deliveries and accumulated 93 runs. He ranks No. 7 in ICC Test Rankings for batsmen.
During India’s tour of New Zealand in 2014, Ishant Sharma was the highest wicket-taker. His 15 wickets came at an average of 25.1, including 2 five-wicket hauls.
Mohammad Shami‘s average read the best for bowlers who took 30 or more wickets in 2016. However, at the centre of attention will be the ever-improving Jasprit Bumrah. In a mere 12 Tests, he has taken 62 wickets and is at the sixth spot in the ICC Test Rankings.
Ajinkya Rahane‘s last 4 Test innings read 59, 115, 86, and 51, pushing him at No. 9 in Test Rankings. To make matters more interesting, he scored a resolute 101* against New Zealand A earlier this month.
Among the current crop of players, Trent Boult’s 40 wickets are the most at the venue.
Probable XIs
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel
India: Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shah, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari/Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin/Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.