India vs New Zealand 2016: Predictions and tour schedule

Team India is all set to kick off their long home season which includes 13 Tests, 8 ODIs, and 3 T20Is beginning later this month. The Men in Blue will take on the Kane Williamson led New Zealand who is coming off a 1-0 series loss against South Africa. The three-match Test series scheduled to begin on 22nd September will mark the beginning of what has been named by BCCI as ‘Indian Cricket season.’

The three-match Test series will be followed by a 5 match ODI series scheduled to be played from 16th October to 29th October. The Test series is all set to be played at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 22, at Eden Gardens Kolkata from September 30 and at Holkar Stadium in Indore from 8th October. There are many new venues where India will play Test matches this season and the first of them is Indore.

Immediately after the Test series, India will switch over to ODI cricket as they lock horns in the 5 match ODI series, with the opening ODI scheduled to be played at Dharamsala on October 16 followed by the 2nd ODI at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi on October 19. PCA Stadium in Mohali will host the 3rd ODI on October 23 while JSCA Stadium in Ranchi will host the penultimate ODI on October 26. The tour will conclude with the last match to be played at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on 29th October.

Delhi will host the warm fixture between New Zealand and Board President’s XI from September 16-18. It must be remembered that the initial plan of BCCI was to organize one of the Test matches under lights with the pink cricket ball. But the board changed their decision and dropped the idea. Had the first ever day-night Test in India would have taken place, Kolkata was the likely possibility as CAB President Sourav Ganguly left no stones unturned to make it a reality.

India vs New Zealand 2016 Predictions:

With India playing at home they will be the overwhelming favourites to win the series but Virat Kohli and his men can’t take the Black Caps lightly. They have some serious names in their lineup who are capable of destroying their opposition either with the ball or bat.

Recently Kane Williamson became the youngest player to score centuries against all Test playing nations and he must continue to carry on his rich vein of form if the Kiwis have any chance of upsetting India at their own backyard. New Zealand lost their last Test against South Africa and would look to come well prepared to counter Indian spinners.

India, on the other hand, has a very good record in Test cricket in the recent past. They had defeated the mighty Proteas 3-0 at home last year and their spinners played the most important part in dismissing the Proteas batsman cheaply. They would also be wary of the fact that Kiwis also have quality spinners in their ranks and the idea of preparing rank turners could actually backfire. With a solid and settled batting line-up, the batsmen will look to score big and bat the Kiwis out of the game.

Series Prediction: India to win 2-0

Here is the full schedule of New Zealand’s tour of India.

India vs New Zealand 2016 Schedule:

Match	Venue	Date
1st Test	Green Park Stadium, Kanpur	September 22-26
2nd Test	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	September 30 - October 4
3rd Test	Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore	October 8-12
1st ODI	HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala	October. 16
2nd ODI	Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi	October. 19
3rd ODI	PCA Stadium, Mohali	October. 23
4th ODI	JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi	October. 26
5th ODI	Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium, Vizag	October. 29