NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand started off the three-match Test series against India with a comfortable eight-wicket victory in the first game in Bengaluru. For the second Test in Pune, starting October 24 (Thursday), the pitch is expected to offer plenty of turn, which could give India the advantage given that they have the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and also Axar Patel on the bench. Additionally, Washington Sundar has also been added to the hosts' squad for the second Test.
However, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham feels his four spinners are equally capable of knocking India over if the pitch offers spin. "Whatever we're presented with, for us, it's about trying to adapt as quick as we can,” Latham said ahead of the second Test.
“If it is going to be a wicket that turns a little bit more, then we've got four spinners in our line-up, that will play into their hands, but it's [also] about to try not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas."
In the first Test, lead-spinner Ajaz Patel aside, Glenn Phillips rolled his arm over and also got the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test. In Pune, New Zealand will have the services of Ish Sodhi, who has been added to the squad for the remainder of the series, along with Rachin Ravindra as well. Moreover, New Zealand also have Mitchell Santner on the bench as well.
“I obviously had a little bit of a think around what that may look like,” Latham said of the combination.
“[We will] try to get a little bit of information from previous games here, and also, the practice wickets that we're on will hopefully be something around or similar to what we're getting."
Despite winning the first Test easily, Latham said New Zealand will not get carried away with the result, and they'll start from scratch in Pune. “[It is] very special, there is myself, Graham Dowling and John Wright, to be in this position is really special. But for me, it was a team effort,” he said.
"We celebrated what was a special performance, but our attention [has] turned quickly to this game, and we're trying not to rest on what happened last week. [We are] trying to take the confidence from last week and take that into this game and hopefully hit the ground running.
“The confidence that it can bring into a side is probably the most important thing, that we can come over here and we can compete and we can do well."
Latham now has a chance of being the first-ever New Zealand skipper to win a Test series in India. Is he just five days away from the historic feat or will India bounce back?
If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out on our content — big time. Download the App here.
