3 things New Zealand need to do right to win 2nd match and seal IND vs NZ 2024 Test series
New Zealand beat India by eight wickets in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It was the Kiwis' first Test win in India since 1988.
Batting first after winning the toss, India were bundled out for a paltry 46 as the hosts made the big blunder of allowing New Zealand's pacers to exploit the seamer-friendly conditions. They then conceded 400-plus. India fought back valiantly in the second innings to post 462. New Zealand, though, needed only 107 for victory and got home with ease.
While the Kiwis will be confident of putting up a good show in the second Test in Pune as well, India will be expected to come hard at them. They have a proven record when it comes to bouncebackability. On that note, let's analyze three things the visitors will need to do right to win the second Test and clinch a historic Test series triumph.
#1 Kiwi batters need to be efficient against Team India's spin attack
There was no much help for India's spinners in Bengaluru, due to which the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav couldn't make the kind of impact they were expected to. However, things are likely to be much different in Pune. The curator will most probably have to offer a surface that aids Team India's slow bowlers.
New Zealand have had their struggles on Indian surfaces that have offered turn. That explains why they have only won three Test matches in India thus far. The trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep (assuming all of them play) are expected to be a lot more effective in the second Test in Pune.
For New Zealand to get the better of India in India, it goes without saying that they will need to pass the trial by spin. In this regard, the absence of former Kiwi captain Kane Williamson (still rehabilitating from a groin strain) from the second Test as well is a setback for the visitors. The right-handed batter is arguably the best player of spin in the New Zealand setup.
#2 New Zealand bowlers need to keep India's batters in check in Pune
New Zealand were sensational with the ball in the first Test in Bengaluru. However, it cannot be denied that they were aided by India, who allowed them to bowl in conditions the Kiwis experience back home. That's unlikely to be the case in the second Test in Pune, though.
In the absence of help from the surface, New Zealand's pace bowlers might not be as effective as they were in Bengaluru. As such, they will need to find ways to keep India's batters in check. The visitors cannot allow India to build a huge total, as that would put their batting under immense pressure against quality spinners.
The Kiwis, though, will be buoyed by their bowling performance with the new ball in the second innings. Following the big partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, Will O'Rourke and Matt Henry led a brilliant fightback for the visitors. New Zealand will hope for similar performances from their pacers.
#3 Senior players need to put their hands up
While there were some excellent performances by Kiwi players in the first Test, some of the seniors disappointed. For starters, skipper Tom Latham perished cheaply in both innings. The visitors also suffered a batting collapse in the first innings, which saw the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips falling cheaply.
Considering that the Kiwis will be in for a much tougher challenge in the second Test in Pune, they will need their senior batters to stand up. Rachin Ravindra, who struck a brilliant hundred in Bengaluru, will need a lot more support in the second Test. If we talk about bowling, better will be expected from Tim Southee and Ajaz Patel even as Henry and O'Rourke will look to continue their good work.