The first of a busy period of Test matches for India begins on Thursday when they face New Zealand in the opening match of three in Kanpur. With the series being so short both sides head into the match looking for the win which would send them 1-0 up with two to play and in control of the series.
India
It appears to be a goal of India’s to get the number one ranking back in this form of the game. It will certainly grate with them that Pakistan currently occupy that spot so they won’t be lacking motivation over the weeks and months to come.
India have a plethora of spinners to take into this match with them so they should be fine from a wickets point of view but they will need to put up enough runs and there are question marks about their batting depth if Ashwin bats as high as six as he has been doing although his run output has been excellent in that position.
New Zealand
Kane Williamson’s men have recent Test match cricket under their belts and they were wise enough to have a warm up match going into this series so they have done all they can to be sharp from the first ball in this series. That suggests they are focusing on getting something from it too rather than just making it difficult for India.
The Kiwis have plenty of variety in their bowling attack which is likely to serve them well both in this match and the series and so the outcome of this match will largely depend on whether they have the quality to put up the number of runs needed in conditions which will be alien to them.
Team News
Virat Kohli has to decide whether to go in with four bowlers or five. A fifth bowler is likely to see Umesh Yadav given the start. If they don’t play an extra bowler then Rohit Sharma is expected to get another go.
New Zealand need to choose on the personnel in their bowling attack as well. We know Tim Southee is out with injury as is Jimmy Neesham and they are only likely to play two seamers. Trent Boult will be one of them and the other appears to be between Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell.
Green Park
This will be the 22nd Test match on this ground and the first for seven years. India have a 6-3 winning record here and there have been 12 draws. New Zealand’s two matches on the ground have ended in a draw and a defeat.
The pitch is said to be full of cracks already and while it is expected to be watered in the lead up to the match those cracks are only likely to open further as the sun bakes down on the pitch so first innings runs are going to be crucial.
Betting
This isn’t really a match to be getting too involved with because it is the first one in the series and to be honest there is a shortage of what I would call the regular markets I look at in this format of the game but there is one bet I like.
That is on the first innings wickets for Ravi Ashwin. The line is at 2.5 but with the amount of overs he is going to bowl I’m fully expecting that line to be covered. Whether the wicket turns sharply or not to begin with we know Ashwin has the skills to deliver the goods especially against the two left handers in the Kiwi top order.
If India were to bat first and the wicket deteriorates by the time they bowl then all well and good but even on the opening day I’d be surprised if the off spinner didn’t bag three scalps so I’m happy to take the overs there.
Tips
WON – Back R.Ashwin’s 1st Inns Wickets – Over 2.5 for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Coral
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