Kanpur: Test cricket will return to Green Park stadium after a gap of seven years when India takes on New Zealand from Thursday. The last Test was played here way back in 2009 against Sri Lanka.
This will also be
Inda
’s historic 500th Test match. The home team starts after a successful tour of the West Indies, where the young side led by Virat Kohli dominated the hosts to win the four-Test series 2-0.
With both batting and bowling departments in fine fettle, rains seem to be the biggest worry for the Indians here. With humidity levels very high, and predictions of showers in days to come can spoil India’s chances.
If rains hold, Indian spinners R Ashwin,
Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja can make it difficult for the visiting team on a track that is likely to be spin-friendly. Also, the strong batting line-up led by Virat, along with Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul,
Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan has capability to dominate any attack in the world.
But then, the Kiwis are also known to be doughty customers who enjoy cricket, whatever the conditions. In skipper
Kane Williamson, they have a player who is among the top in the world.
They also have potent bowling attack that includes three good slow bowlers Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and
Mark Craig who can call the shots if the Kiwis win the toss and India has to bat last here.
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