Most days when a test series is about to start, there is not much anticipation and excitement from the fans. Even though the longer format of the game is undoubtedly the best format in the game of cricket, it is not as attention grabbing or headline making as the other formats are. However, this test series consisting of just two tests between India and New Zealand has a different appeal. Considering the backdrop of events that have taken place over the past year, this is as good and important a series as a World Cup or an IPL.
India and New Zealand were the two finalists in the World Test Championship where India were crushed by New Zealand. The 2019 World Cup Semi Final was another heartbreak that India suffered at the hands of New Zealand. And then there was this recently injected wound into the heart of Indian fans when India had to give up it’s T20 World Cup hope when they were massively outplayed by New Zealand who eventually made it to the finals of the tournament while Indians came packing home.
Mind you, there is no bad blood between the two teams. New Zealand is an outstanding team led by a more than outstanding captain – Kane Williamson. Kane Williamson and his team of good boys are an embodiment of the gentleman’s game if there was ever one. This is a team of talented individuals who work together and execute their plans to perfection. Maybe that is why they have made it to the finals of all three ICC tournaments over the past few years. And yes! They are loved by everybody – rival fans and even players.
However, success is the best revenge and also – revenge is the best revenge! And team India would be seeking redemption. After white-washing the visitors in the T20 series by a scoreline of 3-0, they will now be looking forward to repeating the same performance in the test series but mind you, this New Zealand team is no joke.
They are the defending World Test Champions and you have got to give them the respect they deserve. Even though the matches are in India and India are overwhelming favourites, this New Zealand team is famous for punching WAY ABOVE their weight at most times. So we really have an exciting series coming up. You can make the most of this series and win some amazing prizes and earn up to 3x rewards with fun88 – https://bit.ly/3bwTufc
Predicted XI for India and New Zealand
It is the first game of an exciting new series and it will be hard to predict the combination with which both teams will go onto the field. However, in our opinion this is the strongest XI with which both teams could line up for the first test.
India’s Predicted XI – Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand’s Predicted XI – Tom Latham, Darly Mitchell, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner
