India whitewashed New Zealand in the 5-match T20Is and the hosts returned the favour in ODIs. The two teams thus stand equal before entering the 2-match Test series commencing in Wellington on Friday.
The last time India toured New Zealand was way back in 2014 when the Black Caps defeated India 1-0 in the 2-match Test series. In the last 20 years, India have played New Zealand only thrice in a Test series.
Though New Zealand received a 3-0 drubbing in Australia, they are a force to reckon with when it comes to playing in home conditions. Since December 2013 New Zealand have won 11 Test series at home and have lost only 2.
However, India have a dominant record against New Zealand, as they have won each of their last 7 Test matches. Moreover, four of them were by a margin of more than an innings. Of the 15 Tests played between the two sides, India have won 7, drawn 7 and have lost only one Test.
It is hard to bat first in New Zealand as wickets are supposed to fall quickly in the first innings given the green cover over the pitches. The surface only becomes better to bat on with time. Thus toss plays a major role here.
A day out of the 1st Test, this is what the pitch at Basin Reserve looks like.
Thoughts ? #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/XND442GJFN
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 20, 2020
Team bowling first have won more Tests than team batting first in New Zealand. However, when it comes to the Indian captain, he has often preferred to bat first in overseas Tests. However, under Virat Kohli in away Tests, India have not won any Test while bowling first. The last time India won overseas bowling first was way back in 2010.
It would be interesting to see if Virat Kohli continues with batting first or would rather pay attention to the stats and chose to bowl first.
Talking about Virat Kohli, the swashbuckling batsman is just a century away from breaking a couple of records. If he manages to score a hundred in Wellington, he will become only the first Asian captain to have a Test century in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries.
With another hundred, Kohli will also overtake former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting as most international hundreds as captain. Ricky Ponting had 41 to his name in his playing career.
Virat Kohli currently has 735 runs to his name against New Zealand in the longest format of the game. If he hits 265 more, Kohli will become only the 3rd Indian after Rahul Dravid (1659) and Sachin Tendulkar (1224) to have 1000-plus runs in India-New Zealand Tests.
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