India vs New Zealand 1st Test – Preview
India vs New Zealand 1st Test Preview | New Zealand tour of India 2012 | Airtel Series | India vs New Zealand |
India has to play with New Zealand in the First test of the two match series at Hyderabad on 23rd August 2012. Both teams have fared relatively disappointingly in Tests in recent months. India were trounced by Australia 4-0 earlier in the year, while New Zealand are coming off consecutive series losses to South Africa and West Indies. For India the retirement of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid will leave a huge hole the usually reliable middle order, leaving Sachin Tendulkar to shoulder more responsibility. The series also presents the perfect opportunity for youngsters to show what they’re capable of and for India to show their intent in climbing up the ladder in the Test rankings.
India:
Indian team, which had the most powerful middle-order from the past 15-16 years, will field three youngsters in the esteemed position. Players of the calibre of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have retired and that leaves a big hole for India to fill. On top of that, Indian bowling attack is one of the weakest going around as apart from Zaheer Khan no other bowler has been consistent. Indian batsmen came under heavy criticism during the debacle in England and Australia, but it is a fact that the bowlers were equal culprits as they failed as a unit and India struggled to pick 20 wickets in a Test match on most of the occasion. As far as Indian bating is considered, it is going to be a very important series for Virender Sehwag. He has been highly inconsistent and needs to fire big. The retirement of the senior pros provides an opportunity for the youngsters as well. Players like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Suresh Raina will be itching to have a go against a pretty ordinary Kiwi attack.
New Zealand:
New Zealand will miss the services of Daniel Vettori, who is out with a groin injury. And therein lies the Kiwis’ biggest weakness, whether they can take 20 wickets to win a Test against India. Jeetan Patel was in outstanding form for Warwickshire, but there is much doubt whether he can repeat his success against the hosts, who are, arguably, the best players of spin in the world. The Kiwi pacers – Chris Martin, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell – therefore, will have to step up and fill in for Vettori’s absence. Black Caps have been going through a tough time of late, and they have even more trying times lying in wait. India is never an easy country to go to and win in, let alone with a bowling attack that has looked paltry, a severe lack of depth and changes to the managerial structure. Mike Hesson has taken over the head coaching role and has Bob Carter as his assistant as they attempt to change the fortunes of New Zealand cricket.
Squads for New Zealand vs India 1st Test:
New Zealand Squad:
Ross Taylor (c), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tarun Nethula, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Kruger van Wyk (wk), Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson
India Squad:
MS Dhoni (c & wk), SR Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, S Badrinath, SK Raina, Ishant Sharma, R Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Ajinkya Rahane, Umesh Yadav
Last 1 year Test results of India:
| Date/Opponent | Match details/venue | Match result |
| Jan 24-28, 2012/ Australia | 4th Test, Adelaide | Lost by 298 runs |
| Jan 13-15, 2012/ Australia | 3rd Test, Perth | Lost by an innings and 37 runs |
| Jan 3-6, 2012/ Australia | 2nd Test, Sydney | Lost by an innings and 68 runs |
| Dec 26-29, 2012/ Australia | 1st Test, Melbourne | Lost by 122 runs |
| Nov 22-26, 2011/ West Indies | 3rd Test, Mumbai | Match drawn |
| Nov 14-17, 2011/ West Indies | 2nd Test, Kolkata | Won by an innings and 15 runs |
| Nov 6-9, 2011/ West Indies | 1st Test, Delhi | Won by 5 wickets |
Last 1 year Test results of New Zealand:
| Date/Opponent | Match details/venue | Match result |
| Aug 2-5, 2012/ West Indies | 2nd Test, Jamaica | Lost by 5 wickets |
| July 25-29, 2012/ West Indies | 1st Test, Antigua | Lost by 9 wickets |
| Mar 23-27, 2012/ South Africa | 3rd Test, Wellington | Match drawn |
| Mar 15-17, 2012/ South Africa | 2nd Test, Hamilton | Lost by 9 wickets |
| Mar 7-11, 2012/ South Africa | 1st Test, Dunedin | Match drawn |
| Jan 26-28, 2012/ Zimbabwe | Only Test, Napier | Won by an innings and 301 runs |
| Dec 9-12, 2011/ Australia | 2nd Test, Hobart | Won by 7 runs |
| Dec 1-4, 2011/ Australia | 1st Test, Brisbane | Lost by 9 wickets |
| Nov 1-5, 2011/ Zimbabwe | Only Test, Bulawayo | Won by 34 runs |
