3 things India need to do right to beat New Zealand in the 2nd Test ft. the Pune pitch
India are all set to face New Zealand in the second Test of the three-match series. The encounter will commence at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24.
Rohit Sharma and company were comprehensively outplayed in the opening game of the rubber, with New Zealand coming out on top by an eight-wicket margin. If they are to turn the scoreline around, the hosts will need to be at the top of their game in Pune.
India’s squad for the three Tests against New Zealand: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
On that note, here are three things India need to do right to beat New Zealand in the second Test.
#3 India need to be bold with their selection
After going down to New Zealand in the first Test, India will need to make some bold calls during the remainder of the series. While they might have initially planned to make changes keeping the Australia tour in mind, that might not be a possibility anymore.
The hosts might need to bring in Akash Deep for Mohammed Siraj, who has been off-color for a while now. Deep's ability to move the ball considerably in both directions, coupled with his relentless accuracy, could make him the ideal foil for Jasprit Bumrah in the pace department.
Meanwhile, in the middle order, KL Rahul might have to be sacrificed to accommodate the returning Shubman Gill. While Rahul has been earmarked as one to man India's middle order on their tour of Australia, with Sarfaraz Khan expected to struggle Down Under, the latter came up with a sensational maiden Test century and cannot be overlooked easily.
Sarfaraz is also clearly more suited to Indian conditions, given his prowess against spin and ability to manufacture run-scoring shots behind the wicket.
#2 Rohit Sharma needs to lead the way by occupying time at the crease
Team India have adopted a fairly aggressive approach in Test cricket of late. It first came to light in the home series against England, where the visitors themselves played at a higher tempo. The same trend continued in the recent home rubber against Bangladesh, especially in the Kanpur Test.
However, India need to remember what has brought them considerable success in red-ball cricket. Occupying time at the crease is an integral part of Test match batting, with risk-taking not being viable on most occasions. While there are plenty of batters in the Indian lineup who can go after the bowling, they also need to understand that they can't afford to overdo it.
In that regard, captain Rohit Sharma needs to lead the way. It's been a while since he spent several hours at the crease, and while impactful cameos are valuable to the team in the white-ball formats, Test cricket is a different kettle of fish altogether. Others like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli need to follow suit as well.
#1 India need to prepare a turner that keeps everyone in the game
Persistent rain and overcast conditions meant that India's plans to make a turning wicket in Bengaluru, one that was verified by the fact that they played three spinners, didn't come off. However, in Pune, they will have the chance to prepare a pitch that will ask serious questions of the New Zealand batters.
More importantly, a turner would allow India to harness the strengths of their bowling attack. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are more skilled and experienced than their Kiwi counterparts and can be backed to come up with game-changing performances.
A rank turner, of course, would be far from ideal. India need to prepare a sporting pitch that will allow them to maximize their resources in both departments.