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After a nail-biting finish to the first Test, India is set to host New Zealand in Mumbai as the sides play a series decider. The first Test was a near miss for the hosts and they will be hurt.

However, it was a huge warning to the Kiwis as they started brilliantly but still were on the brink of a defeat. The Black Caps are without a series win in India since 1989 and they wouldn't get better than a solid Mumbai pitch to make history.

What do you think? Will the visitors take home the trophy or will India stand firm on their home dominance in Tests?

Match Toss Time: 09:00 Local (03:30 GMT)

Match Start Time: 09:30 Local (04:00 GMT)

Match Venue: Green Park, Kanpur

Head to Head

Matches played: 61, India: 21, New Zealand: 13, Draw: 27

Weather conditions and pitch

IND vs NZ weather and pitch

Team News

For India, Ishant Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha are likely to be replaced due to fitness concerns. Prasidh Krishna and KS Bharat will be their likely replacements.

Mayank Agarwal wasn't in his best form and that could see him make way for Suryakumar Yadav, who will be making his Test debut.

For New Zealand, it seems Neil Wagner would be roped in for Sommerville, while Mitchell Santner may also come in place of Rachin Ravindra.

Probable Playing XI 

India (IND): Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal/Suryakumar Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha/ KS Bharat, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

New Zealand (NZ): Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Neil Wagner, Mitchell Santner/  Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel

Key Stats

# With 4795 runs to his name in the longest format, Ajinkya Rahane is now 205 runs away from the 5000 run milestone. The 33-year old will become only the 14th Indian to achieve the feat. However, with his declining form and the fact that Kohli will return after his break., can Rahane make the playing Xl cut?

# India's third-highest wicket-taker in Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin is now just 3 wickets away from overtaking the legendary Proteas all-rounder's tally of 421 wickets. How many can he pick in the decisive encounter?

# The Kiwi spearhead is known for his exceptional bowling performance but he is also a handy player with the bat. The veteran has 75 sixes to his name and if he decides to go all out, he might be able to overtake the former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni's tally of  78 sixes.

# The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has 70 international centuries to his name and he is one away from being joint second highest (71) in the list along with Ricky Ponting. Can the skipper score big?

Must Picks

The skipper will be back fresh and we can hope something big from him in this home Test. It is an important one for India and Kohli would not get a better chance to score his 71st ton. 

Tom Latham, Will Young, and especially, Shreyas Iyer were exceptional in the first Test, and thus, leaving them out would be a huge mistake.

Ravichandran Ashwin was once again very reliable with the ball and alongside Ravindra Jadeja, the duo has always performed better.

IND VS NZ Fantasy Team

IND vs NZ fantasy team
Cricwizz fantasy team

 

Captain and Vice-captain Picks

Ravichandran Ashwin Tom Latham IND vs NZ
Ravichandran Ashwin (C) and Tom Latham (Vc)

Prediction 

India were a wicket away from clinching the first Test but with Virat Kohli back in the side, we can see a more aggressive approach towards the game.

India would be keen to put a big score at Wankhede and try to create as much pressure as they can with their spin bowling. With Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar Patel's form, the Kiwis will have a hard time playing them out. India's star-studded batting only confirms more to their chances of clinching the series.

Cricwizz predicts India to win the second Test and win the 2-match series, 1-0.

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