India vs New Zealand Preview & Prediction | 2nd Test
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On the back of their first Test win in India since 1988, New Zealand now have the chance to inflict upon India their first home series defeat since 2012 against England
DATE/TIME: Wednesday 23rd October: US PST – 9:00pm / Thursday 24th October 2024 - UK – 5:00am / India – 9:30am / US EST – 12:00am
VENUE: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, India
WEATHER: No rain is forecast across the scheduled five days with bright sunshine on the cards and temperatures hitting 30c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / India – Sports18 / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / India – JioCinema / US – Willow TV
INDIA FORM: SIX-MATCH WINNING STREAK HALTED
India saw their winning run in Test cricket come to a sudden end in Bengaluru after a dramatic first innings collapse. Batting first, the hosts were bowled out for just 46, their lowest home Test score and third lowest of all-time. Such a total left them on the backfoot for the rest of the match and despite a third innings rally, it was to no avail as India were beaten by eight wickets.
LAST FIVE: LWWWW
NEW ZEALAND FORM: BLACK CAPS SNAP FIVE-TEST WINLESS STREAK
New Zealand got back to winning ways and in some style in the opening Test. Now they have the chance to make even more history by finally slaying India in a home red ball series. The Black Caps will be happy at how they took full advantage of bowling out their opponents for 46, racking up 402 in response. Facing a fourth innings chase of just over 107 runs, New Zealand held their nerve and got the job done with eight wickets remaining.
LAST FIVE: WLLAL
INDIA BETTING ANALYSIS
Rishabh Pant was one of just two batters to put up any kind of realistic resistance with the bat across India’s nightmare first innings in Bengaluru, top scoring with 20 as wickets fell all around him. Pant then backed that up with 99 in the second innings. His swashbuckling style will be crucial to his side’s success in Pune and a small investment in Pant to finish as India’s top first innings batter may prove a shrewd play.
NEW ZEALAND BETTING ANALYSIS
Our betting analysis of New Zealand in the first Test zoned in on Rachin Ravindra and the 24-year-old phenom did not let bettors down. Batting at number four, Ravindra struck a superb 134 against the likes of Ashwin, Jadeja and Bumrah, finishing at New Zealand’s top first innings scorer. He was also there to guide his side home at the end with 39 not out in the fourth innings. Back Ravindra to maintain his current form and demonstrate again why he appears to be one of the best overseas batters out there in subcontinental conditions, specifically by scoring 70+ runs over the course of the second Test at evens.
INDIA VS NEW ZEALAND EXPERT PREDICTION
We’ve seen this script before. In fact, we saw it earlier this year when England toured. India drops the first Test, before switching gears and taking control from then on, ultimately winning the series. That’s what most will expect ends up happening here, but India knows that they are in a fight against this resolute New Zealand side who boast a real touch of class.
However, a response is expected by the hosts and we should see a much-improved showing across both of their innings with the bat. Provided they put enough runs on the board, their spinners can take control from there and ultimately lead India to a victory which squares the series.
INDIA VS NEW ZEALAND TIP: INDIA TO WIN
