February 28, 2020 
22:30 
New Zealand vs India 2nd Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 29/2/2020
Virat Kohli stated before the series started that New Zealand are the favourites in their home conditions. This proved the case in the first Test in Wellington, where the hosts outplayed the number one-ranked team in the International Cricket Council’s rankings for Test teams.
Many cricket predictions probably didn’t expect such a one-sided contest, though, and some New Zealand vs India betting tips have been affected for it. Both teams are expected to make changes to their XIs, as the two-match series heads to a decider in Christchurch.
New Zealand vs India 2nd Test – Match Preview
Where: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
When: Saturday, 29 February 2020
Pitch conditions: The captains who won the tosses in all six previous Tests here opted to bowl first in conditions that historically suit the seamers. Four of the five victories were claimed by the team that batted second and fourth. The toss at this ground, indeed, is important. New Zealand will possibly play a four-seam attack in the second Test. Those four seamers – Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme – are the top four Test wicket-takers at this ground.
Weather conditions: Hardly any rain is predicted in Christchurch in the three days prior to this fixture, which should allow for adequate preparation of the pitch. Inclement weather won’t likely interfere throughout the scheduled five days. Highs of 24 degrees Celsius and lows of 13 are expect, so rather pleasant conditions for an important series decider.
Start Time: 04:00 (IST), 22:30 (GMT previous day)
New Zealand vs India 2nd Test – Latest Odds
New Zealand and India have been priced at 2.00 and 2.30, respectively, by bet365 to win the second Test. It’s not often that the Indians go into a Test as underdogs nowadays. A draw is offered at 6.00. Only one of the six Test matches played at the Hagley Oval, though, have ended in a draw.
New Zealand vs India 2nd Test – Team News
New Zealand’s biggest debate will be around whether to return Wagner to the XI. He missed the series opener due to paternity leave. Head coach Gary Stead has all but insisted the left-arm fast bowler will return to the XI. He is, of course, among the leading Test wicket-takers at this venue. Wagner could replace specialist spinner Ajaz Patel, who bowled a mere six overs in Wellington. Alternatively, he might come in for fellow fast bowler Kyle Jamieson. The tall Jamieson, though, impressed throughout his debut at the Basin Reserve.
India are probably contemplating removing all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin from the XI. He wasn’t effective enough with the ball in Wellington – and has conceded under-performance with the bat. His exit would likely see fellow spinning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja chosen. Jadeja can be a genuine match-winner with bat or ball, which India require to salvage a series draw. Alternatively, Navdeep Saini could welcome a Test debut as an additional fast bowler in the Indian XI. The decision to play Rishabh Pant ahead of fellow wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha in Wellington surprised many. Pant will probably be retained here.
New Zealand vs India – Test Squads
| New Zealand | India |
| Kane Williamson (captain) | Virat Kohli (captain) |
| Tom Blundell | Mayank Agarwal |
| Trent Boult | Ravichandran Ashwin |
| Colin de Grandhomme | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Kyle Jamieson | Ravindra Jadeja |
| Tom Latham | Mohammed Shami |
| Daryl Mitchell | Rishabh Pant |
| Henry Nicholls | Cheteshwar Pujara |
| Ajaz Patel | Ajinkya Rahane |
| Tim Southee | Wriddhiman Saha |
| Ross Taylor | Navdeep Saini |
| Neil Wagner | Ishant Sharma |
| BJ Watling | Prithvi Shaw |
| Shubman Gill | |
| Hanuma Vihari | |
| Umesh Yadav |
New Zealand vs India 2nd Test – Betting Tips and Prediction
This ground looks set to favour the bowlers, which has somewhat beefed up the batting odds among free cricket betting tips and New Zealand vs India second Test predictions.
Boult to be New Zealand’s top bowler
Almost 15 percent of Boult’s 261 Test wickets have come at the Hagley Oval, where he has taken just one five-for over 12 innings. He consistently takes two, three or four wickets per Test innings at this ground – and is looking good for more of the same. He will likely be partnered with fellow left-armer Wagner with the new ball. Boult and Wagner are priced at 3.40 and 4.00, respectively, by bet365 to be New Zealand’s top bowler in the first innings.
Sharma vs Shami for India’s top bowler
This will be India’s first ever Test, ODI or T20I at the Hagley Oval. They have little or no experience to go on at a ground that is expected to suit the seamers. Kohli would probably like to win the toss, bowl first, and let any one of his seamers capitalise. Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are priced at 3.75, 3.75 and 3.25 to be India’s top bowler. For slightly longer odds, there’s Mayank Agarwal to be India’s top batsman in their first innings. For even longer odds, Kohli at 8.00 to be Man of the Match on the back of a series-defining performance is among the popular cricket betting tips.
Best Bet: Virat Kohli to be Man of the Match at 8.00 with bet365
