The India vs New Zealand Test series now moves to Kolkata for the second test match. Eden Gardens is one of the iconic grounds in India and the world. It is ready to host the second test. The two teams have already reached the “City of Joy” and is all in shape for the start of the 2nd test.

India won the first test at Kanpur by 197 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin took 10 wickets in the match. His partner Ravindra Jadeja scalped six. It was spin again that undone the Kiwi batsmen one after another.

Even the subcontinental experience of skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor was of no help as their resistance in front of the spinning duo was just not up to the mark.

Advantage India ahead of the 2nd test

India ticked all the boxes in the 1st test match. Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara scored half centuries in both the innings. KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja came up with commendable performances. Ravindra Jadeja won the man of the match award for his all round performance.

It was well-known that conditions would be difficult for the Kiwis to score runs. As the test match went on conditions for batting became more difficult as the ball turned and bounced viciously. Their bowling lacked the edge as the team missed Tim Southee from the attack and without him the New Zealand bowling attack was not as dangerous.

Spinners in Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi did their best to extract whatever little they could bring out. Neil Wagner too bowled with a big heart and scalped the prized wicket of Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the first innings.

Tough task ahead for the Kiwis

Problems are mounting for Kiwis as Mark Craig has been ruled out of the rest of the series with a side strain injury. Jeetan Patel has been called in as his replacement.

The Kiwi bowlers will be again challenged to pick up all 20 Indian wickets. The conditions will offer them a bit more spin and bounce in Kolkata.

Santner was inspirational in Kanpur as he troubled Indian batsmen the most among all bowlers. He will again need to lead the attack and other bowlers need to come put in his support.

Two New Names In The Indian Squad

India looks the more balanced out of the two teams. They have enough options to try. India have players in form and runs under their belt. Gautam Gambhir has been named as the replacement for injured KL Rahul for the rest of the series.

Gambhir is making a comeback to the team after 2014. He played his last test against England, in a series which India lost 3-1. Pacer Ishant Sharma is yet to recover from Chikungunia for which Haryana spinner Jayant Yadav has been named as his cover.

The return of Gautam Gambhir makes him the senior most player in the team. He has vast experience with 56 test matches. Gambhir would like to lead his side from the front with the bat. He would make his return to the team count and hoping to put some substantial contribution in both the innings.

Ravichandran Ashwin will lead the bowling attack yet again and look to pick up wickets. He in tandom with Ravindra Jadeja once gain hold the key to how less they can limit the Kiwi batsmen to.

Umesh Yadav and Mohd Shami  will be expected to handle the pace attack. Unless there is an injury to any of the bowlers, Virat Kohli is likely to keep intact his bowling attack for the next match.

Thus going into the second test match India has the certain upper hand as they are one up in the series. New Zealand would need to come up with a better performance if they want to level the series. Coincidentally, the test match is starting on the same day when MS Dhoni’s biopic is hitting the theaters.

Picture Courtesy: CricBuzz, FirstPost