New Zealand vs India 2020: 1st Test, Wellington - India's Predicted Playing XI

New Zealand vs India 2020: 1st Test, Wellington – India’s Predicted Playing XI; After a setback in the ODI series, the Indian National Cricket Team led by Virat Kohli will look to take revenge by knocking the opposition out in their home conditions in the traditional format. As the Tests fall under ICC World Test Championship, both teams would like to give their all to seal the victory at any cost.

The Indian team had exceptional results in the Test format so far and would like to continue their dominance in the points table with a victory against New Zealand.

But, unfortunately, injuries to key players have dented them. Meanwhile, ahead of the first Test, we predicted playing XI of India.

India’s Predicted Playing XI:

1. Mayank Agarwal:

The flamboyant batsman, who had a tough time in the ODI series will open the innings for India at Wellington. Though he missed out in limited-overs format, Mayank Agarwal would like to showcase his class in his strong format, Tests.

The Karnataka lad had a tough time in practice matches as well but the records he created in the recent past will boost him to do well.

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2. Prithvi Shaw:

Though there is a tough fight between him and Shubman Gill, it seems like Prithvi Shaw will open the innings, as he already got experience of playing International bowlers under his belt. He also got the backing from the Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who believes the youngster can do wonders for India.

3. Cheteshwar Pujara:

Whenever India travel abroad, the first person to rely-on for the Indian team is Cheteshwar Pujara.

The right-handed batsman will once again be the mainstay for India in the upcoming Test at Wellington. It would be interesting to see how things would turn out for him, as he will have a lot of burden on his shoulders.

4. Virat Kohli:

The Indian skipper had a rare failure in the ODI series and would like to show his calibre in the impending Test series. The world number one batsman has already got the challenges from Trent Boult and Tim Southee in the press meets and the duel between them in the middle is going to be a clash to watch out for.

Besides his batting, his captaincy skills will be tested when he will bat at Basin Reserve.

5. Ajinkya Rahane:

Whenever the green top is on offer, India will look to Ajinkya Rahane to do the job. With New Zealand preparing the green surface for the fast bowlers, the Mumbai batsman will have to play out of his skin, to help India score a good total on the board.

His performance with the bat can directly affect the result of the game.

6. Rishabh Pant:

It seems like India will go with Rishabh Pant for the upcoming game. Pant always scored runs in overseas games, which would see team management asking him to do the wicket-keeper role for the team. This would be his last opportunity to prove himself and settle in the playing XI.

7. Ravindra Jadeja:

The left-hander will outsmart Ravichandran Ashwin to take the role of an all-rounder in the team. He can deliver the much-needed goods with the bat and also got the talent to change the complexion of the game with his bowling skills.

With the green top on offer, India would like to have a deep batting line-up.

8. Navdeep Saini:

With pure green surface on offer, most probably, India will restrict themselves to only one spinner.

The lanky fast bowler has got enough gas in him to deliver for the team. The conditions will further suit him to do better as well.

By the way, it will also be his debut game in the longer version of the game.

9. Mohammed Shami:

The right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami had a scintillating last twelve months and he would like to continue the same in the upcoming Test as well. He will play a key role in India’s chances to win the game with his bowling display.

Besides that, he always had a good outing against New Zealand in Test cricket.

10. Jasprit Bumrah:

The quality fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has always been the wrecker-in-chief for India in overseas conditions and he would like to repeat the similar stuff.

He had a tough time in ODI series, in which, he not only went wicketless but also lost his number one position in the ICC rankings.

11. Ishant Sharma:

The lanky fast bowler Ishant Sharma recovered just in time to be available for the selection. He has always been a match-winner for the team and got the calibre to deliver goods under pressure to make things fall in place.

With a lot of experience under his belt, Ishant will certainly be a player to watch out for.