All the important info ahead of the second of two Tests between New Zealand and India in Christchurch
India’s tour of New Zealand concludes with the second of two Tests. The Kiwis lead the series 1-0 after a 10-wicket win in Wellington. India earlier prevailed in the T20 series 5-0, which included two super over wins, before New Zealand responded with a 3-0 success in the ODIs.
FIRST TEST: Basin Reserve, Wellington - New Zealand won by 10 wickets
SECOND TEST: Hagley Oval, Christchurch (Friday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 3)
Virat Kohli refused to hold back when assessing the performance of his India team as they were thrashed in the first Test in Wellington by New Zealand.
Language like "we let ourselves down", "didn't show enough competitiveness" and "we did not play good enough cricket" will certainly speak to the aggrieved fan back at home. But will it be enough to turn around the fortunes of the tourists, who looked toothless in the first Test?
New Zealand bowled perfectly to the conditions, pitching the ball up, getting it to do a bit and seducing the India batters. The rest was rather regulation. This was an exercise in outlasting and adapting to the conditions and the away side simply couldn't cope.
It was an emphatic takedown of the best Test team on the planet, underpinned by a double failure for Virat Kohli whose returns on this tour have been below his usual standard.
He has gone past fifty once across the three T20s and ODIs and the first Test. And with Neil Wagner set to be thrown his way in Christchurch his problems could be set to continue.
Though Kohli has won eight of his 10 away Tests when winning the toss and batting first, it was a slightly dozy decision to insert his side without first getting a look at the conditions. India were on the back-foot from the outset.
Kane Williamson's men will eye a series win knowing they have an impeccable record at the Hagley Oval. Only Australia in 2016 have left with a victory in the six Tests.
On that occasion, it took first innings centuries from Joe Burns and Steve Smith to give the visitors the upper hand in what was Brendon McCullum's farewell series.
Though this is India's first Test at Hagley Oval, they have never left Christchurch with a victory in the format. In six matches at AMI Stadium, they lost twice and drew four of the six meetings prior to the ground being demolished.
Could Neil Wagner return to continue his stranglehold over Virat Kohli?
KL Rahul appears the most likely to be considered for a recall after the batting line-up failed miserably in Wellington.
He enjoyed a fine one-day series with a century and a fifty across the three matches but Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal have been preferred at the top of the order in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who is out with a calf problem.
Ishant Sharma recovered from an ankle complaint to play in the first Test and will likely keep his place. Fast bowler Navdeep Saini has been called up to the Test squad for the first time.
Shubman Gill, who scored 204* and 136 for India A in two matches against New Zealand A a few weeks ago, awaits his opportunity as he looks for his Test debut.
India squad: Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ishant Sharma
Seamer Wagner is back in contention after missing the first Test due to being on paternity leave and could be enlisted with the specific intention of going after Kohli.
The skipper has been dismissed three times in six Tests by the left-armer. Kyle Jamieson is perhaps most at risk at losing his place despite enjoying a fine debut at Basin Reserve.
Jamieson took 4-39 in the first innings and scored 44 but with Tim Southee and Trent Boult staples in the side and Wagner offering a different mode of attack, the newcomer might be sacrificed.
Ajaz Patel is the only front-line spinner in the squad and is assured of keeping his place, with Mitchell Santner out in the cold.
Tom Blundell will continue at the top of the order after replacing Jeet Patel during the Australia series.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, BJ Watling, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry
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Rain is expected on each of the first three days, with heavy showers likely to delay the start of the Test on day one. Play should be possible during the second half of the game but it could thwart a result.
For viewers in the UK, Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504) will have daily coverage starting at 10.25pm GMT.
In New Zealand, Sky Sport 2 will be broadcasting the Test in full from 11am local time.
The Test series will be broadcast in full in India by the Star Sports network, and will also be streamed on subscription service Hotstar.
For fans in Australia, Fox Sports and streaming service Kayo will carry the second Test.
ESPN+ will be showing the Test in the United States.
Bookmakers Dafabet can barely separate the two sides ahead of the second Test, with India rated at 5/4 to square the series while New Zealand are 6/5 to complete a whitewash. The draw is available at 9/2.
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