IND vs NZ: India’s Predicted Playing XI Against New Zealand– New Zealand Tour of India 2021, 1st Test

India and New Zealand are set to take on each other in a two-match Test series. The IND vs NZ, 1st Test begins on November 25 (Thursday) at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. India recently bagged a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand in the T20I series. India will be led by Ajinkya Rahane in IND vs NZ 1st Test while Kane Williamson will lead Kiwis in the match.

India hold the top spot in ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 points table. In their previous series, India managed a 2-1 lead over England in an away tour. Out of 4 matches during the tour, India won 2 games and lost 1, while 1 ended in a draw. New Zealand currently holds the top spot in ICC Test rankings and will commence their journey in WTC 2021-23 with the Test series against India. Below we take a look at India’s predicted playing against New Zealand in IND vs NZ 1st Test.

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IND vs NZ: India’s Predicted Playing XI Against New Zealand– New Zealand Tour of India 2021, 1st Test

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal will be the opener for India in IND vs NZ 1st Test. Agarwal last played a Test match last year. He was part of the India tour of England but did not play any of the 4 games with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma opening the innings in all 4 games. With the absence of both KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal will definitely get the opportunity to showcase his batting strength as an opener.

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill will be another opener for the team. Gill was ruled out of India’s Test series against England in August due to an injury. However, he has recovered now and given a chance in the IND vs NZ Test series. Gill might be another opener for India in the 1st Test.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: Gautam Gambhir Feels Mayank Agarwal And KL Rahul Should Open In First Test

Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara might take the no.3 spot in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli in the opening game. The right-handed batsman scored 227 runs in 4 innings during the previous Test series against England, hitting 2 half-centuries in the process. He will look to dominate with his batting in the series against New Zealand.

Shreyas Iyer

Ajinkya Rahane (C)

Ajinkya Rahane is the skipper of the team in IND vs NZ 1st T20I. He accounted for a flop show during India vs England Test series earlier, scoring 109 runs in 7 innings. However, after a long rest, he will aim to showcase his batting strength in the upcoming series.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: This One Means A Lot To Me: Ravichandran Ashwin On India’s T20I Series Triumph

Wriddhiman Saha (WK)

Wriddhiman Saha will be the wicketkeeper for the team in the opening game. With the ouster of KL Rahul and absence of Rishabh Pant, Saha is the only best choice the Indian team can go with for wicketkeeper. Saha last played a Test last year. He was part of the squad in the previous Test series against England but did not feature in any game. However, this time, Saha will definitely make it into the playing XI.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has gained the limelight with his performance against New Zealand in the T20I series, where he picked crucial wickets while maintaining a low economy. Ravichandran Ashwin was kept out of the playing XI during India vs England Test series with pacers making it as primary bowlers. However, he will be part of the playing XI in IND vs NZ 1st Test with his powerful stats while playing Tests on Indian soil.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: Shubman Gill Batting In Middle-Order Will Help India, Opines Jatin Paranjape

Axar Patel

Axar Patel is another spinner who might make it into the playing XI in IND vs NZ 1st Test. Patel last played a Test match against England in February-March this year during England’s tour of India. He made an astonishing Test debut, picking 27 wickets in just 3 Tests.

Mohammed Siraj

For one of the pacers, the team might pick Mohammed Siraj. The right-arm pacer showed a brilliant performance against England in the previous Test series, picking 14 wickets in 4 Tests. The right-arm pacer is an excellent bowler in the Test with his aggressive pace attack against the opposition.

Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma might be another pacer that India might pick in the playing XI in IND vs NZ 1st Test. Sharma was not at his best during the previous series against England, where he was dropped from the last two games after picking 5 wickets in 2 Tests he played. However, after a good rest, he will be back to lead the pace attack for India against New Zealand.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: We Spoke To All The Players That If You Are Trying To Do Something For India, That Act Will Never Go Unnoticed – Rohit Sharma

Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav showed a magnificent performance during India’s tour of England when he picked 6 wickets in the 1 match he played in the series. With his pace attack and bouncers, Yadav is a crucial pacer for India in Test format. He is highly expected to be part of IND vs NZ 1st Test.

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