India vs New Zealand: India begin career-defining season

KANPUR: In a queer way, the venue complements the occasion. The Green Park in Kanpur looks old and worn out, the paint job notwithstanding, and a bit of an anachronism in this age of swanky stadiums with modern amenities. Green Park is going to host India's 500th Test from Thursday, a milestone which also suggests the passage of a long period of time.The Indian team has the chance to add some shining history of its own on this historic occasion at this 'historic' ground.
The import of the occasion would not be lost on Virat Kohli, the India captain. He would be more than keen to celebrate the 500th Test by making a winning start in the three-Test series against New Zealand.
This Test kick-starts an unusually sumptuous home season of Test cricket where India will host as many as 13 Tests. Thus, a win here will set the tone for a season India are expected to dominate.
India obviously are the big favourites going into the Test. Their Test record under Kohli has been impressive even though they are yet to be tested outside India against tough opposition. On viciously turning tracks that are generally thrown at visitors here, India are almost impossible to beat. Add to that the talent the team possesses and the winning attitude it has developed, and you have a victorious cocktail.
The good thing is cricket is not played by prognosis and theory. So, don't be too surprised if New Zealand make a match of it and provide competitive thrill to the fans. The Kiwis are fighters who are not encumbered by baggage of the past. They will try and dish out their own refreshing brand of cricket and enjoy the skirmishes even if the terrain is treacherous. It will be good for cricket if that happens.
What may aid the visitors is the Green Park turf which curator Shivkumar insisted won't be a rank turner. "It will be a good Test match pitch where the batsmen will enjoy batting on the first two-three days and the ball will turn in the second half of the Test," he told TOI.
The strip looked dry with multiple cracks on it. Shivkumar, though, isn't too bothered about them, saying the pitch will hold well and allow good cricket. It could also turn out to be a classic slow, low Indian track where the spinners need to impart that extra bit in their deliveries to get the zip going.
If Shivkumar's words come true, then it enhances the chance of Kiwis putting up a fight as their suspect batting will not have to negotiate turn and bite from the word go, and throughout the Test.
The look of the pitch would also have made team selection a bit tricky for the teams. India have been playing three spinners routinely at home Test for some time now. They are not likely to change the tactic here which means the Ashwin-Jadeja-Mishra trio will be unleashed on the Kiwis. It will be interesting to see if they would go in with just one seamer or two because the dry conditions can also help the pacers derive reverse swing.
New Zealand also have their own spin troika -Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig -ready to match wits with the Indian batsmen. The three are likely to play along with two pacemen. It's their batting which may give Kiwis the jitters. Captain Kane Williamson is a class act. Beyond him, the line-up doesn't inspire a lot of hope. But one can't bet against a batting hero emerging from their ranks in these demanding conditions.
The heat and humidity in Kanpur is stifling. It's going to test the endurance of the players if the weather remains like what it was on Wednesday. Some spells of thundershowers are predicted over the next few days. If it rains, then it changes the dynamics further.
This Test, or rather this series, is going to be a battle of attrition where guile and skill will count more than fire and bravado.
Will it be a stroll in the Park for India? Watch this space.