Tim Southee believes that the Indian openers are inexperienced but are classy batsmen.

After the injury of Rohit Sharma, it is quite certain that Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw will open the innings for India in the first Test at Wellington. Agarwal (9) and Shaw (2) have a combined experience of 11 Tests so far but have a strong and classical technique.

Southee told PTI, “They are missing a couple of guys due to the injury but there are plenty guys who are talented and capable of stepping up when required. They had a good outing in Hamilton. Although they may be inexperienced at the same time, they are class players.”

The veteran pacer also said that it will not be easy for the Indian batsmen as there are a lot of things that must be done right to succeed in windy conditions.

NZ v IND 2020: COC Predicted Team India Playing XI for the first Test in Wellington

“Obviously, these are home conditions and it favors us. But there are a number of things that you need to do well in here at the Basin Reserve and India will have to get used to it in the next three days,” warned Southee.

However, the 31-year-old is aware of the capabilities of the Indians in their home conditions and hence he believes that the series will be evenly contested. He also talked about his bowling partnership with Trent Boult.

“It’s a completely different format. India has played great Test cricket for a long period of time so it should be an evenly contested Test series. We have complemented each other for long with the left-arm and right arm combination. We are both capable of swinging the ball and knowing each other’s skills for so many years has played a lot of cricket together. We form a good partnership and hopefully, we can carry it into the series,” he concluded.

(With inputs from PTI)