IND Vs NZ 2024, 2nd Test: Match Prediction, Dream11 Team, Fantasy Tips & Pitch Report

India and New Zealand are set to face off in the second Test of their three-match series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, a crucial encounter for both teams. After suffering a defeat in the first Test, India finds itself in a must-win situation, needing to secure victory to keep its World Test Championship (WTC) final hopes alive. On the other hand, New Zealand, buoyed by their win, will be looking to build on their momentum and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

With high stakes for both sides, the upcoming Test promises to deliver high drama and intense competition, as India will be desperate to bounce back while New Zealand aims to capitalize on their advantage.

India’s WTC Challenge: A Pivotal Moment in the Campaign

For India, this second Test is not just about winning a game, but about keeping their WTC final aspirations alive. Currently ranked third in the WTC standings, India cannot afford to drop points, especially on home soil. After their loss in the first Test, India needs to win at least three of their remaining seven matches in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle to secure a spot in the final.

The loss in the first Test in Kanpur highlighted some areas of concern for the Indian team, particularly with the bat. India’s experienced top-order, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, failed to convert starts into big scores, leaving the middle-order under pressure. The team will need its senior players to step up in Pune to avoid another setback in their WTC journey. The equation is simple: India must win, or their path to the final will become increasingly difficult.

New Zealand’s Opportunity to Seal the Series

New Zealand, meanwhile, finds itself in a position of strength after winning the first Test in Kanpur. Under the leadership of Tom Latham, the Black Caps will be eager to take a 2-0 lead in the series, which would not only secure a rare series win in India but also boost their own WTC points tally. The Kiwis’ victory in the first Test was built on disciplined bowling, particularly from their spinners, and timely contributions from their batters, including Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.

If New Zealand can replicate their performance in Pune, they could pull off a historic series win against one of the toughest teams in world cricket. The Black Caps will be well aware that India will come back hard at them, but with the likes of Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra in good form, they have the tools to cause more trouble for India’s batters.

Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium: A Batting-Friendly Pitch with a Twist

The pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune is traditionally known to favor batsmen, offering good bounce and carry early on. However, as the match progresses, the pitch’s black soil surface is expected to aid spinners, creating a challenging environment for batters in the latter stages of the game.

Batting first could be a significant advantage, with the pitch likely to deteriorate by Day 3 or Day 4. The team winning the toss will likely elect to bat first to make the most of the favorable conditions. For India, their experienced spinners, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will be key in exploiting the conditions as the pitch starts to turn.

However, New Zealand’s spinners, led by Ajaz Patel, have already demonstrated their ability to thrive on subcontinent pitches. The contest between the two spin attacks could ultimately decide the outcome of the match.

Key Players to Watch: India’s Batting Stars and New Zealand’s Rising Talents

As always, the spotlight will be on India’s star batters, particularly Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both players have a wealth of experience in Test cricket and will be under immense pressure to deliver in Pune. Kohli, who has been in good form in recent months, will look to convert his starts into big scores, while Sharma will aim to lead from the front as captain and set the tone with a commanding innings at the top.

In addition to the senior players, India’s younger talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan will also be crucial to the team’s success. Jaiswal, in particular, has shown great promise as an opening batter and will look to provide a solid foundation alongside Rohit Sharma.

For New Zealand, Devon Conway will once again be a key player at the top of the order. His ability to play long innings and absorb pressure makes him a vital cog in New Zealand’s batting line-up. Meanwhile, Rachin Ravindra, who impressed with both bat and ball in the first Test, will be eager to build on his all-round performance and contribute to another win for the Black Caps.

India vs New Zealand Dream11 Prediction: Fantasy Picks and Tips

As the second Test approaches, cricket fans and fantasy players alike will be looking to build their Dream11 teams. For this match, key players to include in your fantasy squad are:

Wicketkeeper: Devon Conway – With his solid technique and consistency at the top of the order, Conway is a must-have.
Batters: Virat Kohli, Tom Latham, Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal – Kohli and Latham bring experience, while Sarfaraz and Jaiswal offer potential for big scores.
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rachin Ravindra – Jadeja and Ashwin are proven match-winners for India, while Rachin Ravindra’s recent performances make him an excellent pick.
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke – Bumrah’s pace and Patel’s spin could play pivotal roles in the match, with O’Rourke adding variety to the attack.

For captain and vice-captain choices, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rachin Ravindra are solid options due to their ability to impact the game with both bat and ball. Alternatively, you can opt for Ravindra Jadeja as captain, with Ajaz Patel as vice-captain to take advantage of their spin-bowling prowess.

Team Squads for the 2nd Test

India’s squad for the second Test features a blend of experience and youth, with Rohit Sharma leading the team and Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah forming the core. Meanwhile, promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan will have an opportunity to showcase their skills on the big stage.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Yashasvi Jaiswal

New Zealand’s squad, captained by Tom Latham, boasts a mix of experienced players like Devon Conway and Tim Southee, as well as rising stars like Rachin Ravindra. The Kiwis will rely on their spinners, Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra, to make an impact in Pune’s spin-friendly conditions.

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (c), William O’Rourke, Will Young, Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips

High-Stakes Battle Set to Unfold in Pune

As India prepares to take on New Zealand in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For India, it’s about survival in the WTC race, while New Zealand will look to continue their winning streak and secure a historic series victory. With both teams having much to play for, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with drama, skill, and determination.

Whether it’s India’s spinners trying to exploit the turning pitch or New Zealand’s batters looking to withstand the pressure, this Test promises to deliver a spectacle worthy of the rich history between these two cricketing nations.

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