India vs New Zealand Match Prediction: Who will win the 2nd Test match?
The first Test between India and New Zealand was like a fever dream for the hosts. After Rohit Sharma won the toss and strangely elected to bat under overcast skies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Kiwis' tall pacers ran riot to skittle the home side for just 46.
India fought hard in the encounter, and at one point in the second innings when Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan were going great guns, it seemed like they might even push the Test down to the wire. However, a lower-order collapse meant that the Black Caps needed to chase a target marginally in three figures, and they got the job done despite being worked over by Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball.
Action in the series will now shift to Pune. New Zealand, buoyed by their first victory on Indian soil in 36 years, will look to seal an unprecedented away series triumph in the subcontinent. However, the visitors will continue to be without Kane Williamson, who is still recovering from a groin niggle.
India, meanwhile, will have an eye on turning things around. The hosts will be boosted by the return of Shubman Gill, who missed the opening Test with a stiff neck. Washington Sundar has also been added to the squad, although it's hard to see the young all-rounder displacing any of the existing three spinners.
Can India pull level in the series? Or will New Zealand do what no visiting team has been able to achieve in more than a decade?
IND vs NZ 2024: India look to dig deep in Pune
Both teams are expected to go in with three spinners, with the pitch at the MCA Stadium in Pune likely to offer grip and turn. While India's spinners are obviously more credentialed than their Kiwi counterparts, Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips have done well for themselves in recent times.
Despite New Zealand's convincing win in the opening Test, it's safe to assume that they'll struggle to replicate the feat. Most of India's batters looked good in the second innings in Bengaluru, and it's just a case of application for the home side.
While the Kiwis have plenty of quality players of spin in their ranks, including Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell, they might not have enough in the tank in the bowling department. Gill's return will boost India, while Sarfaraz Khan could just pip KL Rahul to a spot in the XI and strengthen the team further.
More importantly, Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke won't be able to maximize the conditions like they did in Bengaluru. While rain is on the forecast at times, the pitch and the overall weather should prompt New Zealand to play only two fast bowlers.
New Zealand have already shown what they're capable of, but not long ago, the same team was thrashed by Sri Lanka on turning tracks. If Pune is the pitch we all expect, India will start as the slight favorites.
Prediction: India to win the 2nd Test vs New Zealand.