Head coach Ravi Shastri is confident India will recover from last week's 10-wicket defeat in the first Test in Wellington, come the series decider at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
New Zealand completed an early lead in the two-match series at the Basin Reserve against an Indian outfit at the helm of the 2019-21. India and New Zealand are offered at 2.20 and 2.30, respectively, by bet365 to win the second Test.
What Shastri said
“A shake-up like that is good because it opens your mindset. When you're on the road winning all the time, you've not tasted defeat, you can have a closed mindset. Once you've seen what has happened there are opportunities to learn. You know what strategies New Zealand mentally are employing and you are prepared,” said Shastri.
“We've had a great run in the Test arena. We've played eight and won seven and so one loss there's absolutely no need to panic.”
Boult comments
New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has the most Test wickets at the Hagley Oval. His 37 wicket have come at an average of 21.37. Boult has taken 261 Test wickets overall. The 37, therefore, account for almost 15 percent of his Test career tally.
“Its pretty exciting. I wouldn't say the confidence is through the roof but we're very excited about continuing where we left off,” added Boult.
“I like the overheads that present down here in terms of the cloud cover and the swing that's on offer. From my point of view I hope it stays that way and we get it to move around a bit.”
Wagner return
Seamer Tim Southee, who took nine wickets in the series opener, will likely be retained in the XI. Left-arm fast bowler Neil Wagner, who missed the first Test due to paternity leave, is expected to return. He will likely replace first Test debutant Kyle Jamieson or specialist spinner Ajaz Patel. Patel bowled just six overs and went without a wicket in the series opener. Alternatively, all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme might be omitted.
“Whoever we go with we need to put in a performance like we did in Wellington because India will get better,” concluded head coach Gary Stead.
