What started with a superb 5-0 whitewash is now ending up with a nightmare for team India. Having lost the ODI series 3-0, Virat Kohli and Co. are off to a worst possible start in the two-match test series, conceding a 10-wicket defeat in the first test in Wellington.
India are currently at the top of World Test Championship. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that they have been ruthless in the longest format of the game for the last couple of years. However, with New Zealanders ending their seven-match winning streak, India have been brought back to the ground and would be re-thinking their plans and thereby come up with some new tactics in place on Saturday.
Indian batting which boasts of some outstanding names like Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara to name a few, have looked rusty. And given the fact, that India could not cross 200-run mark for even once in two innings, they would be looking to bat as deep as possible.
Also, with green top wickets in place, spinners have looked a non-entity. Ravi Ashwin, in the first Test did pick up three wickets, however, he failed to contribute with the bat. The Indian all-rounder’s ability to score runs has taken a beating and thus the team would be tempted to play Ravindra Jadeja, who has been solid both with bat and ball lately.
Meanwhile, Indian former player, Gautam Gambhir also stressed on the importance of playing Ravindra Jadeja in the eleven and wants him to play in the second Test at Christchurch. Gambhir also wants five bowlers to play instead and wants Hanuma Vihari to sit and not Ashwin.
“Game-wise, I think Kohli should play five bowlers. He should play Ravindra Jadeja in place of Hanuma Vihari whether the wicket is flat or a green top,” Gambhir was quoted as saying in Times of India.
India will play their second test match against New Zealand at Christchurch between 29th Febraury and 4th March.
