After seeing an action-packed test match in Bengaluru that offered conditions not usually found in the subcontinent, we now move to the beautiful Maharashtrian city of Pune for the second test match of this already interesting India vs New Zealand test series. The second Ind vs NZ test will be played on October 24, 2024, at the MCA International Stadium.
The conditions in Bengaluru were significantly different from what either team had anticipated. It was overcast, and the New Zealand bowlers were pretty smart to exploit the conditions to their advantage and almost finish the game in the first hour of the match. Well, everything will be different here in Pune, and to spice things up in the Ind vs NZ 2024 series, the ball on this wicket is predicted to spin from Day one.
After getting bowled out for 46 in the first innings, the Indian batters showed a tremendous comeback in the second innings and batted well. However, the bowlers could not help them in either of the innings by getting the opposition batters out quickly. Bowling Ashwin less in the fourth inning was a controversial decision for Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, which they would look to do better in this game.
It was a near-perfect game for the New Zealand players. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young were the highlights of the batting, whereas Matt Henry was getting the red cherry to talk brilliantly. The bowlers looked helpless for a while in the third inning against the Indian middle order but did not take any time to cause havoc with the second new ball. They were also lucky with the weather and the rain, as their real challenge would be now on a slow turner in Pune.
Even after the dominant win in the first test match, New Zealand is still not the favourites to get a win here in the second game. Such is the dominance and aura of this Indian test team, which will be raring to go and show the Kiwis why it is so difficult to beat them in their backyard. Below is the preview of the second test match along with predictions on the GUGOBET cricket betting app and site.
How many test matches have been played between India and New Zealand?
A total of 63 test matches have been played between India and New Zealand in the history of this sport in the longest format of the game. India has been dominant in this rivalry, winning 22 matches, whereas New Zealand have come out victorious only on 14 occasions. The rest of the matches have ended in a draw.
Matches Played: 63
India Won: 22
New Zealand Won: 14
Draw/Tie: 27
What happens if India loses to New Zealand in this test match?
Apart from creating history and registering their name in the record books, if New Zealand manages to win the second test match against India, they will be putting a huge dent in India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship 2025 final.
Winning the two test matches left in this series is non-negotiable for India if they want to play their third World Test Championship final. A loss in this test match will make their path difficult and put them under real pressure for the rest of the matches.
Ind vs NZ – Predicted Playing 11
Let us have a look at the possible playing 11 of both teams for this upcoming test match.
India
Washington Sundar has been added to the team’s squad for this upcoming test match, and he might be a straight swap with Kuldeep Yadav. Adding Sundar to the team will strengthen the batting, and his off-spin will be handy against New Zealand’s left-handers. KL Rahul is also expected to make way for Shubman Gill, who will bat at three in the forthcoming test match.
A lot will depend on the top order while batting, as the set batters will enjoy batting on a slow pitch. Rohit Sharma should have a big game with the bat, and we hope the much-awaited 81st comes up for Virat Kohli in this match. Ravichandran Ashwin will once again be the key in the bowling department.
Predicted Playing 11: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammad Siraj.
New Zealand
Kane Williamson is still unfit to take the field in the match, and as a result, no changes are expected in the batting lineup of the New Zealand team. Considering the conditions in Pune and a turning wicket, one of the fast bowlers will be making way for Mitchell Santner. The visitors felt the need for another spinner in the first test as well, and they will not take that risk here in Pune.
Rachin Ravindra once again will be the key player for New Zealand in this test match. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner will also have to bowl well to get those 20 Indian wickets, which is not possible every day, especially on Indian pitches.
Predicted Playing 11: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee/William O’Rourke
Weather and Pitch Report
Unlike Bengaluru, the weather in Pune is likely to not be a hurdle in the test match between India and New Zealand. There is no chance of it pouring down, and the temperature is likely to be in the mid-30s, which will be hot and humid. The extra black soil that is being put on the wicket to make it a rank turner will also settle nicely under the sun.
There is no doubt whether the spinners will get assistance from the pitch or not. Batters from both teams will have to be extremely careful about the bounce as well and must look to bat deep in this test match. It will be a fun game to watch as the visitors will be tested here in difficult conditions on the New Zealand tour of India 2024.
Ind vs NZ – Betting Tips and Predictions
It is now time to make our predictions for the upcoming Ind vs NZ test match, which is a part of the New Zealand tour of India 2024, on our cricket betting app.
Match Winner
Just like the Indian captain said in the post-match interview that three hours of bad play does not define the character of this Indian team, we expect the boys in blue to make a roaring comeback in the second match and beat New Zealand by a fine margin. The show that the batters put on in the third inning after a horrible display of batting in the first was commendable, and the same would be expected in this match. India has almost a 70% chance of winning the second test match.
Player of the Match
After not being able to perform to the level of expectations in the first match, Ravichandran Ashwin would want to get on the pitch as soon as possible and win his team the second test match. He is predicted to take at least 8 or more wickets in this test match and score 50+ runs with the bat.
If you are an enthusiastic bettor and want to earn huge profits through this India vs New Zealand 2024 test match, look no further than GUGOBET and take advantage of the amazing IND vs NZ bonus offers here along with the industry’s best odds on the best cricket betting app.
