India head into the second Test of three against New Zealand on Friday knowing that not only can they win the series should they be victorious in the match but they will also become the number one side in the format of the head to Kolkata with plenty of play for.
No touring side plays at Eden Gardens without the inspiration of the surroundings but New Zealand certainly won’t lack for motivation heading into this match as defeat means they lose the series but a win sets up a fascinating decider.
India
You wouldn’t be able to argue that it was India’s best performance in the first Test but you have to give credit to a side who are able to come from behind and win Test matches in the present climate. Much is made of the fact that conditions suit their side and there is nothing wrong with that but we saw in the first innings in Kanpur that you still have to perform well.
Virat Kohli missed out twice in the opening match and he is a proud captain who will want to be contributing in his main role as a batsman as well as his captaincy so we should expect him to go better in this match which immediately becomes a concern for the Kiwis.
New Zealand
I would imagine New Zealand will feel that they let one get away from them in the previous match. Having bowled India for 318 in the first innings they found themselves 159-1 at one point in reply but couldn’t push on and were eventually dismissed for 262 and there was no way back for them from that position.
Going into this match the emphasis will be on New Zealand putting up bigger totals in the first innings as the likelihood is batting won’t be easy in the second dig. The Kiwis did show in that first match that if they can put up runs they have the spin threat to be dangerous throughout the course of the game.
Team News
KL Rahul misses out in this match with an injury so either Shikhar Dhawan or the recalled Gautam Gambhir will replace him. India are toying with a fifth bowler for this match in which case Jayant Yadav could make his debut.
New Zealand have a doubt over their captain Kane Williamson after illness prevented him from training on the eve of the match. Jeetan Patel was recalled to the squad between Tests and he could go straight into the side.
Eden Gardens
This will be just the 40th Test match to be played on this iconic ground. India have played in each of the previous 39 matches with an 11-9 winning record with 19 draws. New Zealand have drawn both their Tests here although the last time they played a five day game here was 1965.
All the talk is that the wicket will suit the batsmen in the first innings but will turn in the second innings like most Indian wickets do. That shows the relevance of big runs in the first dig which neither side could manage in the first game.
Betting
It won’t be very often this winter that you can get odds against on India winning a Test match at home but there is a bit of rain around and bad light issues so they might not be the certainties for this match that they would normally be, especially with New Zealand having shown plenty of defiance in Kanpur even if it was ultimately in vain.
The draw has shortened far too much for my liking so with that in mind I will head to the side markets for a bet on the match. The market in question is the player performances here the line for Ravi Ashwin looks low even at 160.5.
He took 10 wickets in the first Test which in itself makes up 200pts but when you add the 40 runs he scored and the two catches he took he finished with a total of 260 points in Kanpur and while I don’t expect him to go quite as well in this match you would be surprised if he doesn’t average three wickets an innings in which case he would need 41 with bat and catches. That is well within his compass so I’m on the overs there.
Tips
Back R.Ashwin’s Performance – Over 160.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
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