Rohit Sharma-led India will lock horns against Tom Latham's New Zealand in the second Test match of the series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune today.
As per IMD, Pune is expected to have a cloudy weather today i.e. October 24 with minimum temperature is expected to be 21 degree Celsius and maximum at 31 degree Celsius.
On the first day of the match, the rains washed away the possibility for the game to start. But on the second day, India were shot out for 46 -- their third-lowest Test score overall. In the second innings, India scored 462 while New Zealand scored 110. India lost by eight runs.
The hosts are now eyeing to make a comeback in the three-match Test series after conceding an eight-wicket defeat. The Kiwis will seek to carry the momentum of their historic win over India in the first match of the series. India might make a few changes in the playing eleven as Shubman Gill is set to make a return. Rohit Sharma-led side will likely drop KL Rahul from the first eleven following his poor performance in the middle order. Rishabh Pant is also likely to make a comeback as he has receovered from his injury. New Zealand batter Kane Williamson will miss the second Test against India, which will kickstart from Thursday in Pune as he continues his rehab from a groin strain.
As per reports, the pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is expected to be slow and low turner, which would help the spinners in the Test match, specially if it progresses to the final day.
As per Google prediction, there is a 75 percent chance of India to win while 15 percent chance for New Zealand.
While speaking at the pre-match press conference, India head coach Gautam Gambhir said, "No, we are not even thinking of giving anyone game time. All we are concentrating on are these two Test matches [against New Zealand]. And these two Test matches are very, very important to us. As important as any other Test match, be it in India or in Australia," as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
India Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel.
New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham (C), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William ORourke, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy.
(With inputs from agencies)
