India vs New Zealand 2016 1st Test: 5 key player battles

With less than 24 hours to go for the 1^st Test between India and New Zealand to commence, the Men in Blue will be eager to kick off their long and grueling home season in a spanking fashion. India is scheduled to play as many as 13 Tests in the next 6 months which will provide Virat Kohli & Co the much-needed opportunity to retain their numero uno status in Test cricket. India had climbed to the top of the ladder in the Test rankings following their victory in the 3^rd Test against West Indies but surrendered their No.1 status to Pakistan after the last Test against West Indies was washed out due to rain. Kohli has been a hyperactive captain in his short stint so far and has led India to series wins in Sri Lanka and West Indies besides drubbing the mighty South Africans 3-0 at home.

On the other hand, Kane Williamson led New Zealand will be coming off a series loss against South Africa. They would look to come prepared to counter the Indian spinners who has been lethal in spin friendly tracks. Kane Williamson has been in prolific form in the last year or so and recently became the youngest batsman in Test history to score centuries against all Test playing nations. The squad consists of three spinners in their ranks who will try to compete against their Indian counterparts on equal terms.

Here we bring you five key player battles that might decide the outcome of the opening Test

#1 Virat Kohli vs Trent Boult

The battle between Kohli and Boult is bound to be a mouth-watering contest as both cricketers are at the peak of their career. While Kohli has been a prolific run scorer for India across all formats, Boult has been an important member of the New Zealand side and with Southee, the duo has been a formidable bowling pair and has undone many strong batting line-ups.

In their recent series against West Indies Kohli scored his maiden Test double century and would look to continue his golden run. He has set very high standards in the Indian dressing room and the margin for error while bowling to him is a bare minimum. Boult will be mindful of the fact that Kohli had a horrid time in England playing away from his body and would like to persist with the nagging line and length outside the off stump to unsettle the modern legend.

#2 Mitchell Santner vs Cheteshwar Pujara

The solid middle order batsman from Saurashtra has a staggering home record in Tests but hasn’t replicated his form in the overseas conditions. In his short career, Pujara has already hit two double centuries and has been an important member of the Indian Test side especially in India. Though his inconsistent form has kept him out from the Indian side in the recent past, his staggering domestic record and Test record in India will make him a vital member of the Indian set up during their long home season.

On the other hand, left arm spinner Mitchell Santner has been impressive in his short career so far. The relative newcomer to international career will be mindful of the fact that Pujara had been troubled by left-arm spinners in the past and would look to unsettle him with his variations. With the Indian pitches expected to turn square, Santner will be eager to make his Test debut in India a memorable one.

#3 Ajinkya Rahane vs Neil Wagner

India’s unsung hero Ajinkya Rahane has been a terrific performer for India in white clothing scoring heaps of runs in every condition. At the beginning of his career, Rahane played a lot of overseas Tests and scored centuries in England, Australia and New Zealand before returning to India to score twin centuries in the 4^th Test against South Africa in 2015. His ability to adjust under any circumstances makes him a vital member of the Indian side for their upcoming home season.

The South African-born left-arm quickie has been an integral part of the current New Zealand set up and has the ability to take wickets even in unfavourable conditions which make him a vital prospect for the Kiwis. In the initial stages of his career, Wagner was more of a new ball bowler but has added reverse swing to his repertoire to become a complete bowler.

#4 Kane Williamson vs Ravichandran Ashwin

The New Zealand skipper has been in terrific form of late and recently became the youngest cricketer in Test history to score centuries against all Test playing nations. He has been a pillar in the middle order for New Zealand and has bailed them out of trouble on various occasions especially in the recent past. Despite being a wonderful batsman against spin, Williamson will look to come well prepared to face the chin music of the Indian spinners especially Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ashwin has been the No.1 off-spinner in Tests for a while and would look to continue his dominance in the long home season comprising of 13 Tests. He has been a consistent performer for India and is already the holder of maximum Man of the series awards in Tests by an Indian. In the 36 Tests he has played so far, Ashwin has bagged 193 wickets at an impressive average of 25 per wicket. It will be a mouth-watering contest on our hands when the World’s No.1 spinner will lock horns against one of the greatest batsmen of the modern generation.

#5 Ross Taylor vs Ravindra Jadeja

The hard-hitting batsman from New Zealand has been a prolific run scorer for the Kiwis and has provided them with the much-needed stability in the middle order along with Kane Williamson. Taylor has shown a lot of maturity, especially in the recent times but hasn’t been too successful in India. With only one century to his name in India, Taylor will look to set the record straight in the Test series beginning on Thursday.

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja has been a lethal weapon for India in Tests especially in home conditions and was instrumental in India winning the home Test series against South Africa 3-0. His uncanny ability to turn the ball at pace sets him apart from other spinners. Though he lacks in variations, Jadeja uses the depth of the crease to perfection and delivers the ball from different angles which make him a very difficult customer to pick especially in spin friendly conditions.