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India has previously visited this place. They have lost a home Test series 1-0, though it hasn’t occurred too often lately. In 2017, it occurred against Australia, and in 2021, it occurred against England. They recovered to win the series both times.
However, both of those series lasted four Test matches. The current generation of Indians has never actually been in this predicament against New Zealand: behind 1-0 at home with two Tests remaining.
They are under tremendous strain as a result. Over the past two years, away teams have started winning Tests here more often than they used to, but defeating India in India is still the hardest test cricket task nowadays.
Perhaps it’s an indication that a new age is beginning, a reminder of the cricketing deaths of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin.
However, this does not alter the reality that India will still be the overwhelming favourites when the second Test starts on Thursday. Yes, New Zealand won in Bengaluru, but they did so because to a perfect storm created by the weather and a misleading pitch that caused India to make the incorrect selection and toss decisions under those circumstances. If Tom Latham had made the right call, New Zealand would have been in the same position to make the identical toss call.
A visiting team rarely arrives in India for a Test match and discovers conditions that are better for them than the home team. It may have occurred twice this century prior to Bengaluru 2024: Nagpur in 2004 and Ahmedabad in 2008.
India has done all in its power to bring home advantage—the one crucial component this series has been missing—back. The Pune pitch’s exact characteristics won’t be known until the game starts, but in general, it should be far less helpful to New Zealand’s quicks and much more space for India to exploit their better spin attack technique and control.
It won’t guarantee the result they want, not against this superb New Zealand side, but whether they win, lose or draw, India will journey to their fate on something like their own terms.
Since moving to No. 3 last year, Shubman Gill has improved as a Test batsman, averaging 43.23 in 11 games and hitting three hundreds. After missing the Bengaluru Test due to a stiff neck, he appears to be ready to rejoin India’s lineup after completing a regular workload in the nets before to the second Test. India’s batting order will appear much more stable with Gill back at number three, and the names below him will be in their natural positions.
Glenn Phillips has taken 23 wickets at an average of 26.47 in nine Test matches since rejoining New Zealand’s Test team in December 2023. Only Keshav Maharaj, Nathan Lyon, and India’s top three have higher averages among all spinners who have taken at least 15 wickets during this period. For an offspinner who was regarded as a part-time player until lately, it’s quite a record. In Bengaluru, Phillips bowled 15 second-inning overs and removed Virat Kohli from the game. Even if New Zealand strengthens their spin attack, he might have to endure a heavier workload on a more conducive pitch in Pune. If he can contribute with a significant wicket or two, he could significantly impact the game.