India and New Zealand are set to face off in the 1st Test of the three-match series, starting on October 16, 2024, at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This Test is crucial for both teams as part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. India, with a formidable home record, enters the match as the clear favourites.
India are also coming into this match on the back of a 2-0 series win against Bangladesh. New Zealand, though plagued by injuries, will aim to challenge India on spinning tracks. But they lost their previous series to Sri Lanka and that doesn’t place them that well heading into this series.
India:
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand:
Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner/Matt Henry, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel
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Bengaluru’s pitch traditionally offers something for both batters and bowlers. Expect the first two days to favor the batsmen with some assistance for fast bowlers due to early overcast conditions. As the game progresses, spin will become increasingly influential, with turn expected from day three onward. The weather forecast indicates a mix of sun and clouds, with possible rain interruptions on Day 1.
Tom Latham (New Zealand)
Latham will be key for New Zealand, especially with Kane Williamson absent. As the stand-in captain and an experienced player in subcontinental conditions, Latham’s ability to negate spin will be crucial if the Kiwis are to post competitive scores. Latham has five fifties to his name in the 10 innings he has batted in India.
Rishabh Pant (India)
Back from injury, Pant is in excellent form after scoring a century against Bangladesh in his last series. His aggressive batting style, especially against spin, will be a valuable asset for India. Pant also offers flexibility as a wicketkeeper, making him a strong Dream11 pick.
Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Bumrah’s return to Test cricket after injuries has been pivotal for India’s pace attack. He finished the Bangladesh Test series as the joint-highest wicket-taker, with 11 wickets to his name. Known for his ability to swing the ball in seaming conditions and deliver accurate yorkers, he will be crucial in exploiting the early swing in Bengaluru and breaking through New Zealand’s top order.
Also Read: 5 New Zealand Players who can Challenge India in the Test Series
Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
Ashwin, with his mastery over spin, will thrive on the Bengaluru pitch as it starts to turn. He has a knack for dismissing left-handers, which will be key against New Zealand’s left-heavy batting line-up. He scored a match-winning century against Bangladesh and also finished the series as the joint-highest wicket-taker. His all-round abilities make him a top captaincy pick in Dream11.
Ravindra Jadeja (India)
Jadeja’s dual threat with the bat and ball makes him a solid choice for captaincy. His impeccable accuracy with spin, especially in subcontinental conditions, along with his lower-order batting prowess, can rack up significant points. With the bat, he makes significant contributions, which will inflate your Dream11 returns further.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)
Jaiswal has been in outstanding form, and if picked to play, he is expected to give India strong starts at the top. His attacking mindset and ability to handle both pace and spin make him a potential Dream11 captaincy choice for this game. After 11 Test matches, Jaiswal has accumulated 1217 runs at an average of 64.05. That sums up how consistent he has been.
India enters this Test match as the clear favourite, primarily due to their dominant record at home and New Zealand’s injury concerns. The absence of Kane Williamson and Trent Boult could hurt New Zealand’s chances. While New Zealand has a resilient team, India’s spinners are expected to be decisive on the Chinnaswamy track. India is likely to take the lead in the series with a win in this first Test.
