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A 19th consecutive Test series win on home soil beckons Team India as New Zealand walk into the firing line for a three-match rubber. The first Test will commence at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, October 16.
If it was any stadium except that Chinnaswamy, a result might be in question. Rain has been forecast for all five days, with the opening two days in particular under heavy threat. The city has seen persistent showers over the last week or so.
However, the Chinnaswamy's famous sub-air drainage system should ensure that the ground is ready for play soon after the rains abate. India are anyway no stranger to fashioning a result out of minimal days of play, having done so recently in spectacular fashion against Bangladesh.
Moreover, India only need three wins in their remaining eight matches to secure their place in the final of the ongoing World Test Championship. It seems fairly certain that Rohit Sharma and Co. will be in the summit clash for the third cycle running, but they will know that they can't take anything for granted.
Not only are New Zealand a dangerous opposition, India also have a challenging tour of Australia on the horizon. Preparation for the assignment will no doubt already be underway.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis are coming off the back of a 2-0 drubbing in Sri Lanka. The Lankans clinched the second Test by a whopping innings and 154 runs to drive home the fact that New Zealand are still far from a competitive outfit on turning tracks in the subcontinent. Nevertheless, they have enough talent in their ranks, even though they will be without Kane Williamson for the first Test.
Can India continue their dominant run at home? Or will New Zealand give them something to think about?
IND vs NZ 2024: India start war against New Zealand and rain
Without Williamson, it's hard to see New Zealand's batting lineup have enough in the tank to hold India at bay. Will Young is slated to bat at No. 3, and while he's a batter of decent ability, it's safe to say that the former skipper's absence will be heavily felt in the first Test.
Moreover, the Kiwis are heavily dependent on Ajaz Patel to do the bulk of the work in the spin department. Glenn Phillips has chipped in considerably with both bat and ball recently, but Mitchell Santner has been off the pace. While the Kiwis might be tempted to play a third seamer, with conditions expected to be overcast at the Chinnaswamy, they are unlikely to seriously trouble the Indian batters.
India have an injury concern of their own, with Shubman Gill facing a race against time to be fit for the opening game of the series. Nevertheless, the hosts have plenty of talent in their ranks and are the obvious favorites to win the Test irrespective of whether they go in with three spinners.
Anything can happen in a game of cricket, but India can be expected to seal a fairly comfortable win in Bengaluru. That is, of course, if the weather permits.
Prediction: India to win the 1st Test vs New Zealand.
