The first of two test matches between India and New Zealand gets underway in Kanpur on Thursday and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting.
India completed a 3-0 clean sweep of the T20's at the start of this tour, the personnel is very different for the test matches so let's begin with the squads.
Virat Kohli is among those rested for the first test but is expected to be available for the second. Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah are also missing.
India -Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Trent Boult is a key absentee for the Black Caps who named the following squad.
New Zealand - Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Will Somerville, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Will Young, Neil Wagner
Recent Form
These two sides contested the one off World Test Final at Southampton in June and New Zealand won it by 8 wickets. India posted totals of 217 and 170 to New Zealand's 249 and 140/2. Kyle Jamieson was Man of the Match with 5 wickets in the first innings and 2 in the second, Kane Williamson made scores of 49 and 52 not out.
India
Prior to the World Test Final India hosted England in February / March this year. They lost the first test of a 4 match series but won the next 3 for a 3-1 series win.
In December 2020 they were in Australia for another 4 match series, again they lost the first contest but hit back to win 2 and draw 1 of the next 3 for a 2-1 series win.
New Zealand
New Zealand completed a 2 match series against England, at Lords and Edgbaston just prior to the test final and they won the series 1-0. They were on top in drawing the first contest and then despite making a number of changes they won the second match by all of 8 wickets.
Prior to that over Christmas and New Year they won both tests at home to Pakistan by wide margins. They also beat West Indies and India 2-0 in home series' last year.
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The Betting
India are currently trading at around 5/10 to win the game with the draw a 4/1 chance and New Zealand can be backed at around 9/2
All markets are available here
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
With some big names absent especially among the hosts I'll look to 2 contenders to top score for their sides in the first innings. With no Kphli or Rohit the experience of Pujara will be key for India and whilst Kane Williamson would be the obvious choice for NZ a chance is taken on Ross Taylor at a more appealing price.
Bets: Top India 1st Innings Bat Pujara at 28/10
Top NZ 1st Innings Bat Ross Taylor at 4/1
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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