Bengaluru, India

After Day 1 of the India versus New Zealand first Test was washed out, Rohit Sharma-led hosts won the toss on Day 2, on Thursday (Oct 17), and opted to bat first at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. As it was reported that Shubman Gill has neck issues, the right-hander misses out, hence, India have included Sarfaraz Khan whereas Kuldeep Yadav has replaced Akash Deep. Hence, India have gone on with three spinners and two seamers.

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At the coin toss, Rohit said, "We are going to have a bat first. It has been under the covers and we do understand that it could be slightly sticky early on but the nature of the pitch is such that you would want to put runs on the board first. You want to get the result as much as we want. We assess where we are decide what needs to be done as a team. We have played well in the last few Test matches. Fresh series for us and we want to start well. From the last Test two changes, Gill misses out, Sarfaraz comes in. Kuldeep comes in for Akash."

Also read: Ind vs Aus: Anil Kumble feels Shubman Gill should not open in Rohit Sharma's absence, names his pick

India come into this series on the back of a 2-0 whitewash over Bangladesh, at home. The home team have won as many as 18 consecutive Test series on home soil, since 2012/13, and will pose a serious threat to Tom Latham-led Kiwis. The Black Caps, on the other hand, were whitewashed in the two-match Test series by Sri Lanka, in the Island nation, and have a stern task ahead in this series. Notably, NZ have won only two Tests in India.

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With no Gill, KL Rahul -- who shifted to the lower order recently -- is expected to bat at No. 3. India might spring in a surprise by promoting Sarfaraz or Virat Kohli as well.

Meanwhile, the visitors are without Kane Williamson, their most prolific batter, due to a groin injury. In addition, this is Tom Latham's first-ever series as full-time Test captain, succeeding Tim Southee.

Playing XIs:

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India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William ORourke