The second and final Test of the series between New Zealand and India will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch from February 29, 2020. The home team already leads 1-0 in the series after defeating the visitors by 10 wickets in the first match at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
The first look of the pitch in Christchurch was revealed some time back and it shows a green surface that is hard to distinguish from the outfield and evoked some funny reactions from the cricket fraternity on social media. India also needs to win this Test to avoid a Test series defeat and ensure their top spot in the ICC World Test Championship is not in any danger.
NZ v IND 2020: "2-0 loading!" Fans react to first glimpse of green pitch for Christchurch Test
Keeping this into consideration, Team COC presents the Predicted XI for the Indian team for this utmost important match.
Mayank Agarwal scored a valiant looking half-century in the second innings of the first match and showed that he just needed to apply himself a bit more to start getting runs as time goes. However, it seems that he will have another new partner in Christchurch, given that Prithvi Shaw is suffering from a swollen foot and may not play this Test match.
In his place, Shubman Gill is expected to get his long-awaited debut in the red-ball international cricket. The remainder of the middle order in Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari is expected to remain the same more or less. Rishabh Pant didn’t do anything wrong with the bat or the gloves and might keep his place in the playing XI.
Another change that may take place in the Indian playing combination might be bringing in Ravindra Jadeja for R Ashwin. Ashwin managed just three wickets in the match and with the bat, he looked listless scoring 0 & 4 in two innings. Jadeja is in better batting form and his left-arm spin may keep runs down at one end.
Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah are going to helm the pace bowling attack similar to the first Test match.
India needs a win in this Test match not only to salvage some pride but also to avoid being whitewashed in Tests as well, after the ODI debacle.
COC Predicted Team India playing XI for Christchurch Test:
Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah
