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Aakash Chopra has questioned whether New Zealand are a formidable team in subcontinental conditions heading into their away Test series against India. He added that Kane Williamson's absence from at least the first Test will further weaken the visitors.
India will face New Zealand in a three-match Test series, with the first game starting in Bengaluru on Wednesday, October 16. Williamson has been ruled out of the series opener due to a groin strain.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener wondered whether New Zealand would pose a threat to the Rohit Sharma-led team.
"Are New Zealand really a threat? They have been the WTC champion, they defeated us only, but is it really a good team? Kane Williamson is also not available for the first match. He might actually end up missing the second game as well," he said (0:30).
Chopra pointed out that the Kiwis have generally been found wanting in Asian conditions.
"They are not such a good team. If you see their Asia situation, you will feel it's very bad. When and how much have they won against India? When the last series happened, they did draw the first match for sure and Ajaz Patel picked up 10 wickets in an innings in the second match, but they are not a team that troubles you a lot," he observed.
New Zealand suffered a 2-0 defeat in the recent away Test series against Sri Lanka. They lost the first game by 63 runs and were thrashed by an innings and 154 runs in the second match.
"They punch above their weight in bowling" - Aakash Chopra on New Zealand's bowlers
In the same video, Aakash Chopra acknowledged that the New Zealand bowlers tend to perform better than expected.
"They punch above their weight in bowling. They find ways, whether it's Tim Southee or William O’Rourke. You can expect him (O’Rourke) to trouble batters but he is a fast bowler. In spin, they have Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra bowls a little. Their spin bowling will be defensive and disciplined," he said (4:50).
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that disciplined bowling and meticulous planning are the visitors' forte.
"This team comes with a plan and keeps attached to their processes. When you see them bowl, their exact plan is visible. They rarely deviate. If they have a plan to consistently bowl outside the off-stump, then that's it. If it's reversing a little, they will pack the leg side. This team's specialty is discipline in bowling and absolute commitment to a plan," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra noted that the pitches at all three venues might suit the Kiwi batters. However, he predicted an Indian win in the series.
"These three centers will suit their batting - Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai. The ball comes nicely onto the bat in all these centers, and generally the pitches are easy to bat on. So you can expect a slightly better fight from their batting here, but I think Team India should win," he said.
India registered a 1-0 win in the last home against New Zealand in 2021. While the first Test in Kanpur ended in a draw, Virat Kohli and company trounced the Kiwis by 372 runs in the second game in Mumbai despite Ajaz Patel picking up a 10-wicket haul in the first innings.
