Team India demolished New Zealand by a whopping 372-run margin in the second and final Test to win the series 1-0. After a drawn first Test, Tom Latham-led Black Caps fell like nine pins in the series decider following their no-show with the bat in the first innings.

Opting to bat first, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's 150 to post 325 all-out. NZ spinner Ajaz Patel made heads turn with his ten-wicket haul, being only the third bowler to the milestone, but the Kiwis failed to get going with the willow in their first innings to fold for 62. Courtesy a solid first-innings lead, India declared at 276-7, setting up a daunting 540-run target for the visitors.

In reply, NZ were bundled out for 167 all-out, courtesy R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav's four-fers, as they lost by a huge margin. With this win, India not only won their 14th successive series at home in the longest format but also regained the No. 1 spot in ICC Test Rankings.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/updated-world-test-championship-points-table-after-india-win-series-vs-new-zealand-at-home-434499">Updated World Test Championship points table after India win series vs New Zealand at home</a>

India, with 124 points,&nbsp;are now three rating points ahead of World Test champions NZ, 121, in the Test Rankings. On the other hand, the Ashes rivals Australia and England are on third and fourth spots respectively.

At the post-match presentation, Kohli opined,&nbsp;"To come back with a win again, it's a great feeling and a clinical performance. You want individuals to step up. The first Test was good, and it was a clinical performance here. We discussed the performance and the opposition played out a good draw. The bowlers tried all their best, but the Kiwi batsmen stuck it out really well in Kanpur. Here there was more bounce and the fast bowlers got assistance as well, so it gave us a better chance to win the Test match. The mindset is the same to take Indian cricket forward, even with the new management. It's important to keep the standards of Indian cricket and make sure it's always growing. "

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-opines-on-rahul-dravid-led-support-staff-taking-over-from-shastri-co-after-nz-series-win-434487">Virat Kohli opines on Rahul Dravid-led support staff taking over from Shastri &amp; Co. after NZ series win</a>

Dravid, on the other hand, told the broadcasters, "Good to finish the Test series on a winning note, came very close in Kanpur, but couldn't take that last wicket. Credit to the team, they have pulled themselves back from tough situations, and were a bit disappointed at not finishing it off in Kanpur. Good to see the boys step up and take their opportunities, we were missing a few seniors, but the youngsters have taken their chances."

India will now shift their focus to the three Tests versus South Africa in the African nation, from December 26, whereas Kane Williamson &amp; Co. will host the Bangla Tigers, later this month, for a two-match Test series.

Team India demolished New Zealand by a whopping 372-run margin in the second and final Test to win the series 1-0. After a drawn first Test, Tom Latham-led Black Caps fell like nine pins in the series decider following their no-show with the bat in the first innings.

Team India demolished New Zealand by a whopping 372-run margin in the second and final Test to win the series 1-0. After a drawn first Test, Tom Latham-led Black Caps fell like nine pins in the series decider following their no-show with the bat in the first innings. Opting to bat first, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's 150 to post 325 all-out. NZ spinner Ajaz Patel made heads turn with his ten-wicket haul, being only the third bowler to the milestone, but the Kiwis failed to get going with the willow in their first innings to fold for 62. Courtesy a solid first-innings lead, India declared at 276-7, setting up a daunting 540-run target for the visitors. In reply, NZ were bundled out for 167 all-out, courtesy R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav's four-fers, as they lost by a huge margin. With this win, India not only won their 14th successive series at home in the longest format but also regained the No. 1 spot in ICC Test Rankings. ALSO READ | Updated World Test Championship points table after India win series vs New Zealand at home India, with 124 points, are now three rating points ahead of World Test champions NZ, 121, in the Test Rankings. On the other hand, the Ashes rivals Australia and England are on third and fourth spots respectively. At the post-match presentation, Kohli opined, "To come back with a win again, it's a great feeling and a clinical performance. You want individuals to step up. The first Test was good, and it was a clinical performance here. We discussed the performance and the opposition played out a good draw. The bowlers tried all their best, but the Kiwi batsmen stuck it out really well in Kanpur. Here there was more bounce and the fast bowlers got assistance as well, so it gave us a better chance to win the Test match. The mindset is the same to take Indian cricket forward, even with the new management. It's important to keep the standards of Indian cricket and make sure it's always growing. " ALSO READ | Virat Kohli opines on Rahul Dravid-led support staff taking over from Shastri & Co. after NZ series win Dravid, on the other hand, told the broadcasters, "Good to finish the Test series on a winning note, came very close in Kanpur, but couldn't take that last wicket. Credit to the team, they have pulled themselves back from tough situations, and were a bit disappointed at not finishing it off in Kanpur. Good to see the boys step up and take their opportunities, we were missing a few seniors, but the youngsters have taken their chances." India will now shift their focus to the three Tests versus South Africa in the African nation, from December 26, whereas Kane Williamson & Co. will host the Bangla Tigers, later this month, for a two-match Test series.

Virat Kohli-led India regain No. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings after series win vs New Zealand

India took less than a session on Day 4 to wrap up proceedings and thrash New Zealand by 372 runs in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday morning (December 6). Setting up a daunting 540-run target, India had claimed five Kiwi wickets and bundled them out for a paltry 167 early this morning to win the series 1-0.&nbsp;

It was a dominating performance from Team India, who were in a spot of bother at 80 for 3 in the first innings but recovered in style and hammered the Black Caps as India won their first-ever Test series in the Rahul Dravid-era.

Opting to bat first, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's 150 to post 325 all-out in the first essay. Ajaz Patel became the third bowler to claim ten wickets in an innings in the purest format but NZ fell like nine pins against India's spin trio -- Jayant Yadav, R Ashwin and Axar Patel -- to be bundled out for&nbsp;62 in their first innings. In reply, India declared at 276/7 courtesy vital knocks from Mayank, Axar, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara. In reply, the NZ batting line-up's struggles continued as they failed to pose any fight.

After the end of the two Tests between India and current Test&nbsp;champions NZ, here's the updated points table of the ongoing second cycle of the WTC:

<img alt="WTC Points Table" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7a273f1-e3b6-46c1-9b5f-0552f50aca94" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Screenshot_2021-12-06-10-33-08-02.jpg" />

(Photo: Screen grab)

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-opines-on-rahul-dravid-led-support-staff-taking-over-from-shastri-co-after-nz-series-win-434487">Virat Kohli opines on Rahul Dravid-led support staff taking over from Shastri &amp; Co. after NZ series win</a>

Kohli&nbsp;opined at the post-match presentation, "To come back with a win again, it's a great feeling and a clinical performance. You want individuals to step up. The first Test was good, and it was a clinical performance here. We discussed the performance and the opposition played out a good draw. The bowlers tried all their best, but the Kiwi batsmen stuck it out really well in Kanpur. Here there was more bounce and the fast bowlers got assistance as well, so it gave us a better chance to win the Test match. The mindset is the same to take Indian cricket forward, even with the new management. It's important to keep the standards of Indian cricket and make sure it's always growing. "

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-new-zealand-2nd-test-virat-kohli-and-co-beat-kiwis-by-372-runs-to-win-test-series-1-0-434467">India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli and Co beat Kiwis by 372 runs to win test series 1-0</a>

Dravid, on the other hand, told the broadcasters, "Good to finish the Test series on a winning note, came very close in Kanpur, but couldn't take that last wicket. Credit to the team, they have pulled themselves back from tough situations, and were a bit disappointed at not finishing it off in Kanpur. Good to see the boys step up and take their opportunities, we were missing a few seniors, but the youngsters have taken their chances."

India will now travel to South Africa for three Tests whereas New Zealand will host Bangladesh in two-match Test series.

India took less than a session on Day 4 to wrap up proceedings and thrash New Zealand by 372 runs in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday morning (December 6).

India took less than a session on Day 4 to wrap up proceedings and thrash New Zealand by 372 runs in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday morning (December 6). Setting up a daunting 540-run target, India had claimed five Kiwi wickets and bundled them out for a paltry 167 early this morning to win the series 1-0. It was a dominating performance from Team India, who were in a spot of bother at 80 for 3 in the first innings but recovered in style and hammered the Black Caps as India won their first-ever Test series in the Rahul Dravid-era. Opting to bat first, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's 150 to post 325 all-out in the first essay. Ajaz Patel became the third bowler to claim ten wickets in an innings in the purest format but NZ fell like nine pins against India's spin trio -- Jayant Yadav, R Ashwin and Axar Patel -- to be bundled out for 62 in their first innings. In reply, India declared at 276/7 courtesy vital knocks from Mayank, Axar, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara. In reply, the NZ batting line-up's struggles continued as they failed to pose any fight. After the end of the two Tests between India and current Test champions NZ, here's the updated points table of the ongoing second cycle of the WTC: (Photo: Screen grab) ALSO READ | Virat Kohli opines on Rahul Dravid-led support staff taking over from Shastri & Co. after NZ series win Kohli opined at the post-match presentation, "To come back with a win again, it's a great feeling and a clinical performance. You want individuals to step up. The first Test was good, and it was a clinical performance here. We discussed the performance and the opposition played out a good draw. The bowlers tried all their best, but the Kiwi batsmen stuck it out really well in Kanpur. Here there was more bounce and the fast bowlers got assistance as well, so it gave us a better chance to win the Test match. The mindset is the same to take Indian cricket forward, even with the new management. It's important to keep the standards of Indian cricket and make sure it's always growing. " ALSO READ | India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli and Co beat Kiwis by 372 runs to win test series 1-0 Dravid, on the other hand, told the broadcasters, "Good to finish the Test series on a winning note, came very close in Kanpur, but couldn't take that last wicket. Credit to the team, they have pulled themselves back from tough situations, and were a bit disappointed at not finishing it off in Kanpur. Good to see the boys step up and take their opportunities, we were missing a few seniors, but the youngsters have taken their chances." India will now travel to South Africa for three Tests whereas New Zealand will host Bangladesh in two-match Test series.

Updated World Test Championship points table after India vs New Zealand series

Team India beat New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday morning (December 6). Resuming Day 4 with Virat Kohli &amp; Co. requiring 5 more wickets to win the series, the home side didn't waste any time and wrapped up the proceedings within a session to bundle out the Kiwis for 167, in pursuit of 540, and win the Mumbai Test by 372 runs.

Opting to bat first, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's 150 to post 325 all-out. In reply, NZ fell like nine pins for 62 and gave a whopping first-innings lead to the hosts. India then declared their second innings for 276-7 and dismissed the Black Caps for 167 to win the series and regain the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-led-india-regain-no-1-spot-in-icc-test-rankings-after-series-win-vs-new-zealand-434531">Virat Kohli-led India regain No. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings after series win vs New Zealand</a>

In this way, India also went onto win their 14th successive series in the purest format at home.&nbsp;India's last Test series loss as hosts came versus England in late 2012 (under MS Dhoni)

Since then, they have won 14 successive series at home: 
4-0 vs Australia in BG Trophy 2012/13 
2-0 vs West Indies in late 2013 
3-0 vs South Africa in late 2015 
3-0 vs New Zealand in 2016 
4-0 vs England in late 2016 
1-0 vs Bangladesh in early 2017 
2-1 vs Australia in BG Trophy 2016/17 
1-0 vs Sri Lanka in late 2017 
1-0 vs Afghanistan in mid-2018 
2-0 vs West Indies in late 2018 
3-0 vs South Africa in 2019 
2-0 vs Bangladesh in late 2019 
3-1 vs England in early 2021 
1-0 vs New Zealand in 2021*

In the WTC points table, India are now at the third position with 58.33 win percentage. New Zealand, on the other hand, find themselves at the sixth spot.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/updated-world-test-championship-points-table-after-india-vs-new-zealand-series-434499">Updated World Test Championship points table after India vs New Zealand series</a>

Kohli told the broadcasters at the post-match presentation, "To come back with a win again, it's a great feeling and a clinical performance. You want individuals to step up. The first Test was good, and it was a clinical performance here. We discussed the performance and the opposition played out a good draw. The bowlers tried all their best, but the Kiwi batsmen stuck it out really well in Kanpur. Here there was more bounce and the fast bowlers got assistance as well, so it gave us a better chance to win the Test match. The mindset is the same to take Indian cricket forward, even with the new management. It's important to keep the standards of Indian cricket and make sure it's always growing. "

India will now head to South Africa for a three-match Test series, starting from December 26 in Centurion. It will be followed by three ODIs whereas the T20Is will be held later in 2022.

Team India beat New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday morning (December 6). Resuming Day 4 with Virat Kohli & Co. requiring 5 more wickets to win the series, the home side didn't waste any time and wrapped up the proceedings within a session to bundle out the Kiwis for 167, in pursuit of 540, and win the Mumbai Test by 372 runs.

Team India beat New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday morning (December 6). Resuming Day 4 with Virat Kohli & Co. requiring 5 more wickets to win the series, the home side didn't waste any time and wrapped up the proceedings within a session to bundle out the Kiwis for 167, in pursuit of 540, and win the Mumbai Test by 372 runs. Opting to bat first, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's 150 to post 325 all-out. In reply, NZ fell like nine pins for 62 and gave a whopping first-innings lead to the hosts. India then declared their second innings for 276-7 and dismissed the Black Caps for 167 to win the series and regain the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings. ALSO READ | Virat Kohli-led India regain No. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings after series win vs New Zealand In this way, India also went onto win their 14th successive series in the purest format at home. India's last Test series loss as hosts came versus England in late 2012 (under MS Dhoni) Since then, they have won 14 successive series at home: 4-0 vs Australia in BG Trophy 2012/13 2-0 vs West Indies in late 2013 3-0 vs South Africa in late 2015 3-0 vs New Zealand in 2016 4-0 vs England in late 2016 1-0 vs Bangladesh in early 2017 2-1 vs Australia in BG Trophy 2016/17 1-0 vs Sri Lanka in late 2017 1-0 vs Afghanistan in mid-2018 2-0 vs West Indies in late 2018 3-0 vs South Africa in 2019 2-0 vs Bangladesh in late 2019 3-1 vs England in early 2021 1-0 vs New Zealand in 2021* In the WTC points table, India are now at the third position with 58.33 win percentage. New Zealand, on the other hand, find themselves at the sixth spot. ALSO READ | Updated World Test Championship points table after India vs New Zealand series Kohli told the broadcasters at the post-match presentation, "To come back with a win again, it's a great feeling and a clinical performance. You want individuals to step up. The first Test was good, and it was a clinical performance here. We discussed the performance and the opposition played out a good draw. The bowlers tried all their best, but the Kiwi batsmen stuck it out really well in Kanpur. Here there was more bounce and the fast bowlers got assistance as well, so it gave us a better chance to win the Test match. The mindset is the same to take Indian cricket forward, even with the new management. It's important to keep the standards of Indian cricket and make sure it's always growing. " India will now head to South Africa for a three-match Test series, starting from December 26 in Centurion. It will be followed by three ODIs whereas the T20Is will be held later in 2022.

Virat Kohli's India bag 14th consecutive Test series on home soil after 1-0 scoreline vs NZ

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel etched his name into history when he became only the third bowler ever to bag all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match. Patel achieved the historic feat on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. Patel joined an elite list featuring the legendary Anil Kumble and Jim Laker.

It was a magical spell from Patel, who picked up four wickets on Day 1 of the Mumbai Test before following it up with the remaining six wickets during India's first innings on Day 2. Kumble was the last bowler to pick up all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match when he achieved the feat in the Delhi Test against Pakistan in 1999.

History-maker Patel was lauded by the cricket fraternity on social media as players, fans and experts lauded his brilliant effort against India. India head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Virat Kohli also came up with a special gesture as they visited the New Zealand dug-out to congratulate Patel after his ten-wicket haul.

The gesture from the Indian captain and head coach won hearts on social media as they were lauded by many. The video of Kohli and Dravid visiting New Zealand's dug-out to congratulate Patel went viral on social media.

Watch video:

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<a href="https://t.co/nWMTc8r089">pic.twitter.com/nWMTc8r089</a>
— Addicric (@addicric) <a href="https://twitter.com/addicric/status/1467105984250220545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/anil-kumble-leads-wishes-as-ajaz-patel-becomes-3rd-bowler-in-test-history-to-take-all-10-wickets-in-an-innings-434083">Kumble leads wishes as Ajaz Patel becomes 3rd bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings</a> 
&nbsp;

After Ajaz's terrific spell, New Zealand were expected to tighten their grip on the game but their batting line-up fell like a pack of cards in their first innings. R Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj ripped through the Kiwi batting line-up to pick up seven wickets between them and bundle out the visitors for a paltry 62 runs and hand India a massive lead of 263 runs.

New Zealand recorded the lowest ever total by any team in a Test match against India and will have to pull off the impossible to stand a chance in the Test match as India have amassed a lead of over 400 runs already and are inching towards a big win.

&nbsp;

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel etched his name into history when he became only the third bowler ever to bag all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match. Patel achieved the historic feat on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel etched his name into history when he became only the third bowler ever to bag all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match. Patel achieved the historic feat on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. Patel joined an elite list featuring the legendary Anil Kumble and Jim Laker. It was a magical spell from Patel, who picked up four wickets on Day 1 of the Mumbai Test before following it up with the remaining six wickets during India's first innings on Day 2. Kumble was the last bowler to pick up all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match when he achieved the feat in the Delhi Test against Pakistan in 1999. History-maker Patel was lauded by the cricket fraternity on social media as players, fans and experts lauded his brilliant effort against India. India head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Virat Kohli also came up with a special gesture as they visited the New Zealand dug-out to congratulate Patel after his ten-wicket haul. The gesture from the Indian captain and head coach won hearts on social media as they were lauded by many. The video of Kohli and Dravid visiting New Zealand's dug-out to congratulate Patel went viral on social media. Watch video: pic.twitter.com/nWMTc8r089 — Addicric (@addicric) December 4, 2021 × Also Read: Kumble leads wishes as Ajaz Patel becomes 3rd bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings After Ajaz's terrific spell, New Zealand were expected to tighten their grip on the game but their batting line-up fell like a pack of cards in their first innings. R Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj ripped through the Kiwi batting line-up to pick up seven wickets between them and bundle out the visitors for a paltry 62 runs and hand India a massive lead of 263 runs. New Zealand recorded the lowest ever total by any team in a Test match against India and will have to pull off the impossible to stand a chance in the Test match as India have amassed a lead of over 400 runs already and are inching towards a big win.

Kohli, Dravid's gesture wins hearts as duo visit NZ dug-out to congratulate Ajaz Patel for perfect 10 - WATCH

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly recently opened up on how he managed to convince Rahul Dravid to take up the Team India head coach role after Ravi Shastri's exit. Dravid had replaced Shastri as the head coach of the team after his tenure came to an post the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2021.&nbsp;

Ganguly revealed it took a lot of convincing and some personal conversations for him to convince Dravid to take up the India head coach role. Ganguly admitted he and BCCI secretary Jay Shah had even given up at one point but continued to insist Dravid to take up the job.&nbsp;

Dravid was not sure about becoming the India head coach and the job requires him to travel around the globe for the most part of the year which would mean he would have to stay away from his family and young children. But Ganguly somehow managed to convince his former India teammate, who was serving as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to become the new head coach of the Indian team.

"We had Rahul in mind for a long period of time, both me and Jay, but he wasn't agreeing because of the time away from home [and] because doing a national team's job is [about being] on the road for about 8-9 months in a year and he has two young children," Ganguly said on the show Backstage with Boria.

"At one stage we gave up, he was appointed as the head of NCA (National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru) to look after it and take things forward. We had done all the interviews and everything, his interview and application, and he was appointed at the NCA. But even after he was appointed, we still kept insisting." he added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kohli-dravids-gesture-wins-hearts-as-duo-visit-nz-dug-out-to-congratulate-ajaz-patel-for-perfect-10-watch-434248">Kohli, Dravid's gesture wins hearts as duo visit NZ dug-out to congratulate Ajaz Patel for perfect 10 - WATCH</a>

Ganguly further revealed that even the Indian players wanted someone like Dravid to become the head coach of the team post Shastri's exit and that he communicated that to the batting legend. Dravid eventually agreed to take up the top job but Ganguly admitted he didn't know what triggered the change.

"And when we spoke to the players also [about] what sort of person they want, you could clearly see that, you know, there was an inclination to Rahul so we communicated that to him. I spoke to him personally many times [saying] that, 'I know it's hard but give it a try for two years, and if you find it too hard then we'll see another way'," Ganguly said on the show.

"Luckily he agreed and I don't know what triggered the change in his mind but he agreed and I think this is the best BCCI could have done in terms of coaching once Ravi [Shastri] left," he added.

Dravid replaced Shashtri as the new head coach after India's exit from the T20 World Cup 2021 and helped them whitewash New Zealand 3-0 in the home T20I series which was his first major assignment as the coach.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly recently opened up on how he managed to convince Rahul Dravid to take up the Team India head coach role after Ravi Shastri's exit. Dravid had replaced Shastri as the head coach of the team after his tenure came to an post the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2021.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly recently opened up on how he managed to convince Rahul Dravid to take up the Team India head coach role after Ravi Shastri's exit. Dravid had replaced Shastri as the head coach of the team after his tenure came to an post the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2021. Ganguly revealed it took a lot of convincing and some personal conversations for him to convince Dravid to take up the India head coach role. Ganguly admitted he and BCCI secretary Jay Shah had even given up at one point but continued to insist Dravid to take up the job. Dravid was not sure about becoming the India head coach and the job requires him to travel around the globe for the most part of the year which would mean he would have to stay away from his family and young children. But Ganguly somehow managed to convince his former India teammate, who was serving as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to become the new head coach of the Indian team. "We had Rahul in mind for a long period of time, both me and Jay, but he wasn't agreeing because of the time away from home [and] because doing a national team's job is [about being] on the road for about 8-9 months in a year and he has two young children," Ganguly said on the show Backstage with Boria. "At one stage we gave up, he was appointed as the head of NCA (National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru) to look after it and take things forward. We had done all the interviews and everything, his interview and application, and he was appointed at the NCA. But even after he was appointed, we still kept insisting." he added. Also Read: Kohli, Dravid's gesture wins hearts as duo visit NZ dug-out to congratulate Ajaz Patel for perfect 10 - WATCH Ganguly further revealed that even the Indian players wanted someone like Dravid to become the head coach of the team post Shastri's exit and that he communicated that to the batting legend. Dravid eventually agreed to take up the top job but Ganguly admitted he didn't know what triggered the change. "And when we spoke to the players also [about] what sort of person they want, you could clearly see that, you know, there was an inclination to Rahul so we communicated that to him. I spoke to him personally many times [saying] that, 'I know it's hard but give it a try for two years, and if you find it too hard then we'll see another way'," Ganguly said on the show. "Luckily he agreed and I don't know what triggered the change in his mind but he agreed and I think this is the best BCCI could have done in terms of coaching once Ravi [Shastri] left," he added. Dravid replaced Shashtri as the new head coach after India's exit from the T20 World Cup 2021 and helped them whitewash New Zealand 3-0 in the home T20I series which was his first major assignment as the coach.

'At one stage we gave up': Sourav Ganguly on how he convinced Rahul Dravid to become India head coach

Virat Kohli-led Team India have locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. While Kohli has returned back to action after the T20 World Cup, the home side are without the likes of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and speedster Ishant Sharma for the series finale.&nbsp;

After a delayed start due to wet outfield, Captain Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. He opined on Rahane, Ishant and Jadeja's absence and told the broadcasters, "We're batting first. Looks like a hard wicket and not a lot of grass. With the sun out, it should be the best time to bat. Rahane had a hammie niggle on Day 5, Jadeja has a swollen right forearm, and Ishant has an injury too. We just have to do the basics right like in Kanpur. NZ must be given credit for batting out the overs on Day 5. We can be in positions to capitalize at home if we play well."

With no Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant in the playing XI, India's line-up for the deciding Test is as follows:

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">India&nbsp;playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-live-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-india-vs-new-zealand-match-live-online-433587">IND vs NZ, 2nd Test live streaming: When and where to watch India vs New Zealand match live online?</a>

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">On the other hand, New Zealand are also without their regular captain Kane Williamson. In his absence, Tom Latham is leading the side in the crunch encounter. At the coin toss, he stated, "We would've had a bat too. It's been under covers for a few days, and so it might do a bit early. Unfortunate for Kane, his elbow is acting up again, but good chance for Mitchell. It might swing with the humidity here, and we will get assistance and given the pitch it will spin too. We did well after losing the toss in Kanpur and hopefully we can make use of the conditions here and pick up some early wickets."

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">NZ playing XI:&nbsp;Tom Latham(c), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell(w), Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, William Somerville, Ajaz Patel

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-virat-kohli-defends-ajinkya-rahane-co-after-hosts-fail-to-go-1-0-up-in-kanpur-433568">IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli defends Ajinkya Rahane &amp; Co. after hosts fail to go 1-0 up in Kanpur</a>

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">The two teams have all to play for after the first Test ended in a riveting draw at Green Park, Kanpur. In the series opener, Rahane continued his poor run of form whereas Ishant returned wicketless. However, Jadeja performed well with a crunch 50 and four-wicket haul in the final innings, hence, his absence will be felt by Team India.&nbsp;

Virat Kohli-led Team India have locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. While Kohli has returned back to action after the T20 World Cup, the home side are without the likes of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and speedster Ishant Sharma for the series finale.

Virat Kohli-led Team India have locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. While Kohli has returned back to action after the T20 World Cup, the home side are without the likes of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and speedster Ishant Sharma for the series finale. After a delayed start due to wet outfield, Captain Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. He opined on Rahane, Ishant and Jadeja's absence and told the broadcasters, "We're batting first. Looks like a hard wicket and not a lot of grass. With the sun out, it should be the best time to bat. Rahane had a hammie niggle on Day 5, Jadeja has a swollen right forearm, and Ishant has an injury too. We just have to do the basics right like in Kanpur. NZ must be given credit for batting out the overs on Day 5. We can be in positions to capitalize at home if we play well." With no Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant in the playing XI, India's line-up for the deciding Test is as follows: India playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 2nd Test live streaming: When and where to watch India vs New Zealand match live online? On the other hand, New Zealand are also without their regular captain Kane Williamson. In his absence, Tom Latham is leading the side in the crunch encounter. At the coin toss, he stated, "We would've had a bat too. It's been under covers for a few days, and so it might do a bit early. Unfortunate for Kane, his elbow is acting up again, but good chance for Mitchell. It might swing with the humidity here, and we will get assistance and given the pitch it will spin too. We did well after losing the toss in Kanpur and hopefully we can make use of the conditions here and pick up some early wickets." NZ playing XI: Tom Latham(c), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell(w), Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, William Somerville, Ajaz Patel ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli defends Ajinkya Rahane & Co. after hosts fail to go 1-0 up in Kanpur The two teams have all to play for after the first Test ended in a riveting draw at Green Park, Kanpur. In the series opener, Rahane continued his poor run of form whereas Ishant returned wicketless. However, Jadeja performed well with a crunch 50 and four-wicket haul in the final innings, hence, his absence will be felt by Team India.

No Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant Sharma: Here's why Team India are without famed trio in 2nd Test vs NZ

Virat Kohli returned to international cricket after India's T20 World Cup campaign on Friday morning (December 3). The 33-year-old was out of action from the India-New Zealand T20Is and Test series opener, however, took charge of the side for the second and final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

After winning the toss, Kohli came out to bat with India losing two quick wickets after an 80-run opening stand between Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill. As No. 3 batter Cheteshwar Pujara departed for a duck, the onus fell on Kohli and Mayank. Nonetheless, the superstar batsman's return to the 22-yard cricket strip turned out to be a nightmare as he fell for a 4-ball duck, his 10th as Indian captain, as he fell to spinner Ajaz Patel.

The dismissal was controversial as it went upstairs and the third umpire took a lot of time before giving the Indian skipper out. While it looked like there was a clear edge, Kohli was given out due to&nbsp;'lack of evidence' that the ball hit the bat first. Hence, he was given out lbw.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-achieves-two-unwanted-records-after-failing-to-open-his-account-on-day-1-of-mumbai-test-433879">Virat Kohli achieves two unwanted records after failing to open his account on Day 1 of Mumbai Test</a>

Many believe Kohli was wrongly given out as the ball hit the bat first and then the pad, ruling out the lbw scenario. Now, former NZ spinner-cum-captain Daniel Vettori opined on his dismissal. "It was fairly obvious that he nicked it. For me, it seems obvious that there was an inside edge although it was close. But for one man to sit there and a make a crucial decision, maybe the match referee could have stepped in,” Vettori said in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

On the other hand, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer stated, "I can understand the on-field umpire making a decision. That can happen. But the third umpire making so many mistakes after seeing so many replays is disappointing. And Virender Sharma did have a very poor first Test and that form continues for him as well."

He&nbsp;also took to his official Twitter account and wrote, "That was bat first in my opinion. And I understand the ‘conclusive evidence’ part. But I think this was an instance where common sense should have prevailed. But as they say, common sense is not so common. Feel for Virat Kohli. #Unlucky #INDvNZ."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-upset-as-controversial-drs-decision-sends-him-packing-on-a-duck-in-2nd-test-vs-nz-watch-433830">Virat Kohli upset as controversial DRS decision sends him packing on a duck in 2nd Test vs NZ - WATCH</a>

After Kohli fell for a duck, Mayank's 120 not out took India to 221-4 at stumps on the opening day in the series decider in Mumbai. India will look to post anything over 350 and challenge the Kane Williamson-less Kiwis in the final Test.&nbsp;

Virat Kohli returned to international cricket after India's T20 World Cup campaign on Friday morning (December 3). The 33-year-old was out of action from the India-New Zealand T20Is and Test series opener, however, took charge of the side for the second and final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Virat Kohli returned to international cricket after India's T20 World Cup campaign on Friday morning (December 3). The 33-year-old was out of action from the India-New Zealand T20Is and Test series opener, however, took charge of the side for the second and final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. After winning the toss, Kohli came out to bat with India losing two quick wickets after an 80-run opening stand between Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill. As No. 3 batter Cheteshwar Pujara departed for a duck, the onus fell on Kohli and Mayank. Nonetheless, the superstar batsman's return to the 22-yard cricket strip turned out to be a nightmare as he fell for a 4-ball duck, his 10th as Indian captain, as he fell to spinner Ajaz Patel. The dismissal was controversial as it went upstairs and the third umpire took a lot of time before giving the Indian skipper out. While it looked like there was a clear edge, Kohli was given out due to 'lack of evidence' that the ball hit the bat first. Hence, he was given out lbw. ALSO READ | Virat Kohli achieves two unwanted records after failing to open his account on Day 1 of Mumbai Test Many believe Kohli was wrongly given out as the ball hit the bat first and then the pad, ruling out the lbw scenario. Now, former NZ spinner-cum-captain Daniel Vettori opined on his dismissal. "It was fairly obvious that he nicked it. For me, it seems obvious that there was an inside edge although it was close. But for one man to sit there and a make a crucial decision, maybe the match referee could have stepped in,” Vettori said in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo. On the other hand, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer stated, "I can understand the on-field umpire making a decision. That can happen. But the third umpire making so many mistakes after seeing so many replays is disappointing. And Virender Sharma did have a very poor first Test and that form continues for him as well." He also took to his official Twitter account and wrote, "That was bat first in my opinion. And I understand the ‘conclusive evidence’ part. But I think this was an instance where common sense should have prevailed. But as they say, common sense is not so common. Feel for Virat Kohli. #Unlucky #INDvNZ." ALSO READ | Virat Kohli upset as controversial DRS decision sends him packing on a duck in 2nd Test vs NZ - WATCH After Kohli fell for a duck, Mayank's 120 not out took India to 221-4 at stumps on the opening day in the series decider in Mumbai. India will look to post anything over 350 and challenge the Kane Williamson-less Kiwis in the final Test.

'Fairly obvious there was an edge' - Former NZ captain on Virat Kohli's controversial dismissal in Mumbai Test

Virat Kohli-led Team India locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test on Friday (December 3) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Winning the toss, Kohli &amp; Co. opted to bat first and were off to a great start. From 80 for no loss, India slipped to 80 for 2 with Shubman Gill (44) and Cheteshwar Pujara (0) returning back to the pavillion in no time.&nbsp;

Kohli, who returned to action for the first time since the T20 World Cup, walked out to bat with the team in crisis. However, he failed to open his account and was controversially deemed out lbw, off Ajaz Patel, to walk back for a 4-ball 0. Following his dismissal, the 33-year-old achieved two unwanted records under his belt.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-rahul-iyer-or-warner-aakash-chopra-suggests-virat-kohlis-successor-at-rcb-ahead-of-ipl-2022-433845">Not Rahul, Iyer or Warner! Aakash Chopra suggests Virat Kohli's successor at RCB ahead of IPL 2022</a>

With another duck in Tests, Kohli now is the only Indian captain to have failed to open his account on ten occasions. During the England tour early this year, the right-hander had leapfrogged his predecessor MS Dhoni (8) to have nine ducks as Indian captain in the purest format. With this, he is joint-second -- along with former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith -- in the overall list of most ducks by Test captains whereas NZ's Stephen Fleming leads the chart (13). Dhoni, Michael Artheron and Hansie Cronje are tied at the third position with 8 ducks each.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-said-nothing-about-it-laxman-surprised-with-rahane-jadeja-and-ishants-injuries-for-2nd-test-433773">Virat Kohli said nothing about it: Laxman surprised with Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant's injuries for 2nd Test</a>

In addition, Kohli now has registered 6 ducks (the most) while playing at home as Indian captain. He shared the top spot with MK Pataudi prior to the Mumbai Test and now has gone onto take the numero uno position in the unwanted list.

Talking about the opening day's play of the Mumbai Test, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's fourth ton (120 not out) and valuable knocks from Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha (unbeaten on 25) to reach 221-4 at stumps on Friday. From NZ's perspective, Ajaz Patel claimed all four wickets.

Virat Kohli-led Team India locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test on Friday (December 3) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Winning the toss, Kohli & Co.

Virat Kohli-led Team India locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test on Friday (December 3) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Winning the toss, Kohli & Co. opted to bat first and were off to a great start. From 80 for no loss, India slipped to 80 for 2 with Shubman Gill (44) and Cheteshwar Pujara (0) returning back to the pavillion in no time. Kohli, who returned to action for the first time since the T20 World Cup, walked out to bat with the team in crisis. However, he failed to open his account and was controversially deemed out lbw, off Ajaz Patel, to walk back for a 4-ball 0. Following his dismissal, the 33-year-old achieved two unwanted records under his belt. ALSO READ | Not Rahul, Iyer or Warner! Aakash Chopra suggests Virat Kohli's successor at RCB ahead of IPL 2022 With another duck in Tests, Kohli now is the only Indian captain to have failed to open his account on ten occasions. During the England tour early this year, the right-hander had leapfrogged his predecessor MS Dhoni (8) to have nine ducks as Indian captain in the purest format. With this, he is joint-second -- along with former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith -- in the overall list of most ducks by Test captains whereas NZ's Stephen Fleming leads the chart (13). Dhoni, Michael Artheron and Hansie Cronje are tied at the third position with 8 ducks each. ALSO READ | Virat Kohli said nothing about it: Laxman surprised with Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant's injuries for 2nd Test In addition, Kohli now has registered 6 ducks (the most) while playing at home as Indian captain. He shared the top spot with MK Pataudi prior to the Mumbai Test and now has gone onto take the numero uno position in the unwanted list. Talking about the opening day's play of the Mumbai Test, India rode on Mayank Agarwal's fourth ton (120 not out) and valuable knocks from Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha (unbeaten on 25) to reach 221-4 at stumps on Friday. From NZ's perspective, Ajaz Patel claimed all four wickets.

Virat Kohli achieves two unwanted records after failing to open his account on Day 1 of Mumbai Test

Team India have locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). After the drawn Kanpur Test, both sides have all to play for with the series on the line. While regular captain Virat Kohli returned to the playing XI, after being rested for the series opener, the home side have gone into the final Test without the likes of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma.

The famed trio have not been dropped but got ruled out due to injury concerns. At the toss, the 33-year-old Kohli opined on Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Jadeja's absence and told, "We're batting first. Looks like a hard wicket and not a lot of grass. With the sun out, it should be the best time to bat. Rahane had a hammie niggle on Day 5, Jadeja has a swollen right forearm, and Ishant has an injury too. We just have to do the basics right like in Kanpur. NZ must be given credit for batting out the overs on Day 5. We can be in positions to capitalize at home if we play well."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rofl-wasim-jaffer-shares-hilarious-post-as-virat-kohli-manages-to-win-the-toss-in-final-test-vs-nz-433738">ROFL! Wasim Jaffer shares hilarious post as Virat Kohli manages to win the toss in final Test vs NZ</a>

India&nbsp;playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

As soon as the news broke out of Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant being injured, former Indian Test specialist-turned-NCA head VVS Laxman was left surprised with the development. He told on Byju's Cricket Live on Star Sports, "Did something happen this morning? But Virat Kohli said nothing about in the press conference yesterday. It is obviously a big blow."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-rahane-jadeja-and-ishant-sharma-heres-why-team-india-are-without-famed-trio-in-2nd-test-vs-nz-433727">No Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant Sharma: Here's why Team India are without famed trio in 2nd Test vs NZ</a>

For the unversed, New Zealand were also dealt with a major blow as regular captain Kane Williamson missed out due to injury. Stand-in captain Tom Latham told at the toss, "Unfortunate for Kane, his elbow is acting up again, but good chance for Mitchell."

Opting to bat first, India were off to a great start in the deciding Test before losing three quick wickets. Hence, their middle and lower-order need to rebuild the innings for the hosts to post anything over 300.

Team India have locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). After the drawn Kanpur Test, both sides have all to play for with the series on the line.

Team India have locked horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). After the drawn Kanpur Test, both sides have all to play for with the series on the line. While regular captain Virat Kohli returned to the playing XI, after being rested for the series opener, the home side have gone into the final Test without the likes of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma. The famed trio have not been dropped but got ruled out due to injury concerns. At the toss, the 33-year-old Kohli opined on Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Jadeja's absence and told, "We're batting first. Looks like a hard wicket and not a lot of grass. With the sun out, it should be the best time to bat. Rahane had a hammie niggle on Day 5, Jadeja has a swollen right forearm, and Ishant has an injury too. We just have to do the basics right like in Kanpur. NZ must be given credit for batting out the overs on Day 5. We can be in positions to capitalize at home if we play well." ALSO READ | ROFL! Wasim Jaffer shares hilarious post as Virat Kohli manages to win the toss in final Test vs NZ India playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj As soon as the news broke out of Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant being injured, former Indian Test specialist-turned-NCA head VVS Laxman was left surprised with the development. He told on Byju's Cricket Live on Star Sports, "Did something happen this morning? But Virat Kohli said nothing about in the press conference yesterday. It is obviously a big blow." ALSO READ | No Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant Sharma: Here's why Team India are without famed trio in 2nd Test vs NZ For the unversed, New Zealand were also dealt with a major blow as regular captain Kane Williamson missed out due to injury. Stand-in captain Tom Latham told at the toss, "Unfortunate for Kane, his elbow is acting up again, but good chance for Mitchell." Opting to bat first, India were off to a great start in the deciding Test before losing three quick wickets. Hence, their middle and lower-order need to rebuild the innings for the hosts to post anything over 300.

Virat Kohli said nothing about it: Laxman surprised with Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant's injuries for 2nd Test

Team India won the toss and elected to bat first versus New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). With this, India have the toss on all five occasions in the home series versus the Black Caps, including the three T20Is and Test series opener.

The home series versus New Zealand has been a unique one for India, with three different captains. While Rohit led the national side in T20Is after becoming the full-time captain in the shortest format, Rahane led the charge in the Test series opener with Kohli being rested. While Kohli returned, and Rahane missed the final Test due to injury, the 33-year-old maintained India's clean record&nbsp;in terms of winning the coin toss in the entire series versus the Kiwis.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-rahane-jadeja-and-ishant-sharma-heres-why-team-india-are-without-famed-trio-in-2nd-test-vs-nz-433727">No Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant Sharma: Here's why Team India are without famed trio in 2nd Test vs NZ</a>

For the unversed, Kohli doesn't have a great record when it comes to winning the toss. In 2021, the India batter has lost 17 tosses and won only 6 (including the Mumbai Test). While he has now won three tosses in a row, including India's last two games in the T20 World Cup, his record with the coin toss isn't one to cherish. Hence, former Indian opener-turned-meme-specialist Wasim Jaffer left netizens laughing out loud with a hilarious post:

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-live-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-india-vs-new-zealand-match-live-online-433587">IND vs NZ, 2nd Test live streaming: When and where to watch India vs New Zealand match live online?</a>

For the unversed, even Kohli was pleasantly surprised after winning the toss. At the toss, he opined on Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja's absence and told, "We're batting first. Looks like a hard wicket and not a lot of grass. With the sun out, it should be the best time to bat. Rahane had a hammie niggle on Day 5, Jadeja has a swollen right forearm, and Ishant has an injury too. We just have to do the basics right like in Kanpur. NZ must be given credit for batting out the overs on Day 5. We can be in positions to capitalize at home if we play well."

With no Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant in the playing XI, India's line-up for the deciding Test is as follows:

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">India&nbsp;playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">On the other hand, New Zealand are without their regular captain Kane Williamson for the series decider. Hence, Tom Latham is leading the visitors.&nbsp;

<p ng-bind-html="comm[ts].comm" ng-class="get_comm_class(comm[ts]) " ng-hide="comm[ts].geo != null &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' &amp;&amp; comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'">NZ playing XI:&nbsp;Tom Latham(c), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell(w), Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, William Somerville, Ajaz Patel

Team India won the toss and elected to bat first versus New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). With this, India have the toss on all five occasions in the home series versus the Black Caps, including the three T20Is and Test series opener.

Team India won the toss and elected to bat first versus New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). With this, India have the toss on all five occasions in the home series versus the Black Caps, including the three T20Is and Test series opener. The home series versus New Zealand has been a unique one for India, with three different captains. While Rohit led the national side in T20Is after becoming the full-time captain in the shortest format, Rahane led the charge in the Test series opener with Kohli being rested. While Kohli returned, and Rahane missed the final Test due to injury, the 33-year-old maintained India's clean record in terms of winning the coin toss in the entire series versus the Kiwis. ALSO READ | No Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant Sharma: Here's why Team India are without famed trio in 2nd Test vs NZ For the unversed, Kohli doesn't have a great record when it comes to winning the toss. In 2021, the India batter has lost 17 tosses and won only 6 (including the Mumbai Test). While he has now won three tosses in a row, including India's last two games in the T20 World Cup, his record with the coin toss isn't one to cherish. Hence, former Indian opener-turned-meme-specialist Wasim Jaffer left netizens laughing out loud with a hilarious post: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wasim Jaffer (@wasimjaffer14) × ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 2nd Test live streaming: When and where to watch India vs New Zealand match live online? For the unversed, even Kohli was pleasantly surprised after winning the toss. At the toss, he opined on Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja's absence and told, "We're batting first. Looks like a hard wicket and not a lot of grass. With the sun out, it should be the best time to bat. Rahane had a hammie niggle on Day 5, Jadeja has a swollen right forearm, and Ishant has an injury too. We just have to do the basics right like in Kanpur. NZ must be given credit for batting out the overs on Day 5. We can be in positions to capitalize at home if we play well." With no Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant in the playing XI, India's line-up for the deciding Test is as follows: India playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj On the other hand, New Zealand are without their regular captain Kane Williamson for the series decider. Hence, Tom Latham is leading the visitors. NZ playing XI: Tom Latham(c), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell(w), Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, William Somerville, Ajaz Patel

ROFL! Wasim Jaffer shares hilarious post as Virat Kohli manages to win the toss in final Test vs NZ

Team India will lock horns with Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the riveting Kanpur Test, which ended in a draw, the two sides have all to play for with the series on the line.

While Williamson-led Black Caps will be confident after their spirited fight in the first Test, India will be boosted by regular captain Virat Kohli's return into the playing XI. However, his return will see one of the main batters warm the bench. Though vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane averages a mere 19.57 in 12 games this year, Cheteshwar Pujara has also not scored a ton since early 2019. The pressure is on both the senior pros but former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer feels Kohli is likely to make it to the XI at the expense of Mayank Agarwal.

Mayank, who has a high score of 243, returned with 13 and 17 in the Kanpur Test. Hence, his position is also under threat.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-will-mumbai-rains-dent-proceedings-and-play-spoilsport-to-series-finale-433455">Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale?</a>

Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo, "The way Pujara batted in England, it was good to see that he was playing at a quicker pace. He is used to Indian conditions, he has to adopt a positive approach once he gets set onto the crease.

On Rahane, Jaffer insisted that he looked in good touch in the first essay of the Kanpur Test but needs to capitalise on his starts. "In the Kanpur Test, he would've lamented his shot in the first innings. He looked positive but he squandered the opportunity. But I want him to play with the same approach that he showed in the first innings," Jaffer added.

With no Mayank in his XI, Jaffer also named KS Bharat as an opener along with Shubman Gill. It will be interesting to see if Wriddhiman Saha gets dropped after his gutsy 61 not out in the second innings of the first Test. Moreover, he has been declared fit by Captain Kohli ahead of the series finale. In addition, his XI included Mohammed Siraj, replacing Ishant Sharma.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-nz-2nd-test-virat-kohli-to-replace-mayank-agarwal-predicting-hosts-playing-xi-for-series-finale-433546">India vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli to replace Mayank Agarwal? Predicting hosts' playing XI for series finale</a>

Jaffer's XI for 2nd Test: KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav

Kohli-led India will like to win the Test and clinch the series before their all-important South Africa tour, where they play three Tests and ODIs each along with four T20Is.

Team India will lock horns with Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the riveting Kanpur Test, which ended in a draw, the two sides have all to play for with the series on the line.

Team India will lock horns with Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the riveting Kanpur Test, which ended in a draw, the two sides have all to play for with the series on the line. While Williamson-led Black Caps will be confident after their spirited fight in the first Test, India will be boosted by regular captain Virat Kohli's return into the playing XI. However, his return will see one of the main batters warm the bench. Though vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane averages a mere 19.57 in 12 games this year, Cheteshwar Pujara has also not scored a ton since early 2019. The pressure is on both the senior pros but former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer feels Kohli is likely to make it to the XI at the expense of Mayank Agarwal. Mayank, who has a high score of 243, returned with 13 and 17 in the Kanpur Test. Hence, his position is also under threat. ALSO READ | Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale? Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo, "The way Pujara batted in England, it was good to see that he was playing at a quicker pace. He is used to Indian conditions, he has to adopt a positive approach once he gets set onto the crease. On Rahane, Jaffer insisted that he looked in good touch in the first essay of the Kanpur Test but needs to capitalise on his starts. "In the Kanpur Test, he would've lamented his shot in the first innings. He looked positive but he squandered the opportunity. But I want him to play with the same approach that he showed in the first innings," Jaffer added. With no Mayank in his XI, Jaffer also named KS Bharat as an opener along with Shubman Gill. It will be interesting to see if Wriddhiman Saha gets dropped after his gutsy 61 not out in the second innings of the first Test. Moreover, he has been declared fit by Captain Kohli ahead of the series finale. In addition, his XI included Mohammed Siraj, replacing Ishant Sharma. ALSO READ | India vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli to replace Mayank Agarwal? Predicting hosts' playing XI for series finale Jaffer's XI for 2nd Test: KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav Kohli-led India will like to win the Test and clinch the series before their all-important South Africa tour, where they play three Tests and ODIs each along with four T20Is.

Mumbai Test: Wasim Jaffer predicts Kohli & Co.'s XI, drops India's double centurion for NZ series finale

Virat Kohli-led Team India will lock horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the series opener ended in a riveting draw, all eyes are on the series finale. After being rested for the three T20Is and the two-match Test series opener, the 33-year-old Kohli will return back to action and lead India in the deciding Test.

Talking about the first Test, the Kohli-less Indian team couldn't take NZ's last wicket as the match ended in a draw. Opting to bat first, Ajinkya Rahane-led hosts posted 345 all-out. In reply, Kiwis made 296 all-out, giving the home side a handy 49-run lead. Chasing 284, NZ surrendered the momentum on Day 5 to be reduced from 79 for 1 to 155/9. At stumps, they, however, managed to ensure a draw as the last-wicket stand remained unbroken.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-nz-2nd-test-virat-kohli-to-replace-mayank-agarwal-predicting-hosts-playing-xi-for-series-finale-433546">India vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli to replace Mayank Agarwal? Predicting hosts' playing XI for series finale</a>

While India did a lot of things right and fought hard versus the inaugural WTC winners, Rahane &amp; Co. couldn't manage to win. Hence, some section remained unimpressed and criticised the national side. Speaking at the traditional press conference ahead of the 2nd Test, on Thursday (December 3),&nbsp;skipper Kohli has now defended Rahane &amp; Co.

"I watched the game and I think we tried everything we could as a team. Obviously, everyone has a different way of approaching things. I probably would have been able to answer that if I was in that situation but I was not so I know that the team tried everything that they could and Jinx has always brought up great ideas to make sure that, you know, we put the opposition under pressure with strategy, with field placings and rotating the bowlers as well. A great example of that was in Australia as well when we played [there]," Kohli reckoned.

He added, "Sometimes when you are not able to pull off a result you also have to give credit to the opposition for batting out 10-12 overs in the end with the last wicket. It was a very good effort from them. So we have to be realistic about the scenario, realistic about the situation. Obviously, you look to improve on things you still can and you find ways of winning and that’s been the essence of our team regardless of who’s been in charge."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-prediction-who-will-win-series-finale-between-india-and-new-zealand-in-mumbai-433524">IND vs NZ, 2nd Test prediction: Who will win series finale between India and New Zealand in Mumbai?</a>

India will now look to carry the momentum from the first Test, where they were denied a win by a whisker, and claim the two-match Test series versus the Black Caps. However, it won't be a cakewalk given how competitive Williamson &amp; Co. have been in the longest format.

Virat Kohli-led Team India will lock horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the series opener ended in a riveting draw, all eyes are on the series finale.

Virat Kohli-led Team India will lock horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the series opener ended in a riveting draw, all eyes are on the series finale. After being rested for the three T20Is and the two-match Test series opener, the 33-year-old Kohli will return back to action and lead India in the deciding Test. Talking about the first Test, the Kohli-less Indian team couldn't take NZ's last wicket as the match ended in a draw. Opting to bat first, Ajinkya Rahane-led hosts posted 345 all-out. In reply, Kiwis made 296 all-out, giving the home side a handy 49-run lead. Chasing 284, NZ surrendered the momentum on Day 5 to be reduced from 79 for 1 to 155/9. At stumps, they, however, managed to ensure a draw as the last-wicket stand remained unbroken. ALSO READ | India vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli to replace Mayank Agarwal? Predicting hosts' playing XI for series finale While India did a lot of things right and fought hard versus the inaugural WTC winners, Rahane & Co. couldn't manage to win. Hence, some section remained unimpressed and criticised the national side. Speaking at the traditional press conference ahead of the 2nd Test, on Thursday (December 3), skipper Kohli has now defended Rahane & Co. "I watched the game and I think we tried everything we could as a team. Obviously, everyone has a different way of approaching things. I probably would have been able to answer that if I was in that situation but I was not so I know that the team tried everything that they could and Jinx has always brought up great ideas to make sure that, you know, we put the opposition under pressure with strategy, with field placings and rotating the bowlers as well. A great example of that was in Australia as well when we played [there]," Kohli reckoned. He added, "Sometimes when you are not able to pull off a result you also have to give credit to the opposition for batting out 10-12 overs in the end with the last wicket. It was a very good effort from them. So we have to be realistic about the scenario, realistic about the situation. Obviously, you look to improve on things you still can and you find ways of winning and that’s been the essence of our team regardless of who’s been in charge." ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 2nd Test prediction: Who will win series finale between India and New Zealand in Mumbai? India will now look to carry the momentum from the first Test, where they were denied a win by a whisker, and claim the two-match Test series versus the Black Caps. However, it won't be a cakewalk given how competitive Williamson & Co. have been in the longest format.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli defends Ajinkya Rahane & Co. after hosts fail to go 1-0 up in Kanpur

Team India and New Zealand will lock horns with each other in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the series opener went down to the wire with both sides settling for a draw, the stage is set for a riveting second and final Test in Mumbai.&nbsp;

Talking about the series opener, the Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India won the toss and opted to bat first. Riding on Shreyas Iyer's 105 and fifties from Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill, India posted 345 all-out. In reply, NZ were all-out for 296. Courtesy a 49-run lead, India declared at 234-7, setting up a stiff 284-run target for the Black Caps.

Kane Williamson-led Kiwis managed to earn a draw, reeling at 165-9 at stumps on the final day. With all to play for in the series decider, the Mumbai Test is expected to go down the wire. While the unseasonal rains in the city have created some panic among cricket lovers, the weather is expected to be much better as the match progresses. Rahul Dravid-coached India will be boosted by Virat Kohli's presence. However, the biggest question is: who will make way for skipper Kohli?&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-prediction-who-will-win-series-finale-between-india-and-new-zealand-in-mumbai-433524">IND vs NZ, 2nd Test prediction: Who will win series finale between India and New Zealand in Mumbai?</a>

As per reports, opener Mayank Agarwal might have to sit out. Mayank returned with scores of 13 and 17 in the Kanpur Test. While the pressure is also building up on senior pros Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, given their poor run of form, they are likely to hold onto their spots for the series finale. The home side might also be tempted to replace Ishan Sharma with another pacer as he went wicketless in the series opener. In addition, Pujara or Wriddhiman Saha might be given the opening role for the finale.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-will-mumbai-rains-dent-proceedings-and-play-spoilsport-to-series-finale-433455">Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale?</a>

Team India's predicted playing XI for Mumbai Test: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Team India and New Zealand will lock horns with each other in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the series opener went down to the wire with both sides settling for a draw, the stage is set for a riveting second and final Test in Mumbai.

Team India and New Zealand will lock horns with each other in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3 (Friday). After the series opener went down to the wire with both sides settling for a draw, the stage is set for a riveting second and final Test in Mumbai. Talking about the series opener, the Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India won the toss and opted to bat first. Riding on Shreyas Iyer's 105 and fifties from Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill, India posted 345 all-out. In reply, NZ were all-out for 296. Courtesy a 49-run lead, India declared at 234-7, setting up a stiff 284-run target for the Black Caps. Kane Williamson-led Kiwis managed to earn a draw, reeling at 165-9 at stumps on the final day. With all to play for in the series decider, the Mumbai Test is expected to go down the wire. While the unseasonal rains in the city have created some panic among cricket lovers, the weather is expected to be much better as the match progresses. Rahul Dravid-coached India will be boosted by Virat Kohli's presence. However, the biggest question is: who will make way for skipper Kohli? ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 2nd Test prediction: Who will win series finale between India and New Zealand in Mumbai? As per reports, opener Mayank Agarwal might have to sit out. Mayank returned with scores of 13 and 17 in the Kanpur Test. While the pressure is also building up on senior pros Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, given their poor run of form, they are likely to hold onto their spots for the series finale. The home side might also be tempted to replace Ishan Sharma with another pacer as he went wicketless in the series opener. In addition, Pujara or Wriddhiman Saha might be given the opening role for the finale. ALSO READ | Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale? Team India's predicted playing XI for Mumbai Test: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

India vs NZ, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli to replace Mayank Agarwal? Predicting hosts' playing XI for series finale

Team India and New Zealand will lock horns with each other in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). The series opener lived upto expectations in the Green Park, Kanpur as the match went down to the wire where the Kane Williamson-led Kiwis denied a win to Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India, being 165/9 in pursuit of 284 on the last day.

The action will now take place in Mumbai, where the unseasonal rains have surprised one and all. Nonetheless, the weather is expected to get better as the game would progress ahead. Barring Day One, where there can be some interruptions on the cards, the match is expected to go on without delays.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-tour-of-sa-under-dark-clouds-amid-omicron-scare-likely-to-be-pushed-back-by-a-week-report-433462">India tour of SA under dark clouds amid Omicron scare, likely to be pushed back by a week : Report</a>

Talking about Team India, they will be strengthened by the addition of regular captain Virat Kohli. Kohli was rested for the three T20Is and the Test series opener, hence, the 33-year-old will like return in style and lead his side to a series victory. His own form is a concern,&nbsp;thus, Kohli will be eager to break his century drought in the Mumbai Test.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-will-mumbai-rains-dent-proceedings-and-play-spoilsport-to-series-finale-433455">Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale?</a>

Match prediction: The red soil at the Wankhede Stadium is expected to aid the spinners as the match would go on. Spin is sure to play a huge role in the second and final Test. Taking that into consideration, India will start as favourites due to their spin quality and low returns from NZ's middle and lower-order. Batters are expected to cherish the surface after settling in but batting won't remain easy during the last few days of the contest.&nbsp;

While it is always tough to make a prediction against the Kiwis in the longest format, India will still start as favourites as they came close to a win in the first Test. Their superior record at the venue, winning 11 and losing seven, will keep them in good stead.&nbsp;

Team India and New Zealand will lock horns with each other in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). The series opener lived upto expectations in the Green Park, Kanpur as the match went down to the wire where the Kane Williamson-led Kiwis denied a win to Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India, being 165/9 in pursuit of 284 on the last day.

Team India and New Zealand will lock horns with each other in the second and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (December 3). The series opener lived upto expectations in the Green Park, Kanpur as the match went down to the wire where the Kane Williamson-led Kiwis denied a win to Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India, being 165/9 in pursuit of 284 on the last day. The action will now take place in Mumbai, where the unseasonal rains have surprised one and all. Nonetheless, the weather is expected to get better as the game would progress ahead. Barring Day One, where there can be some interruptions on the cards, the match is expected to go on without delays. ALSO READ | India tour of SA under dark clouds amid Omicron scare, likely to be pushed back by a week : Report Talking about Team India, they will be strengthened by the addition of regular captain Virat Kohli. Kohli was rested for the three T20Is and the Test series opener, hence, the 33-year-old will like return in style and lead his side to a series victory. His own form is a concern, thus, Kohli will be eager to break his century drought in the Mumbai Test. ALSO READ | Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale? Match prediction: The red soil at the Wankhede Stadium is expected to aid the spinners as the match would go on. Spin is sure to play a huge role in the second and final Test. Taking that into consideration, India will start as favourites due to their spin quality and low returns from NZ's middle and lower-order. Batters are expected to cherish the surface after settling in but batting won't remain easy during the last few days of the contest. While it is always tough to make a prediction against the Kiwis in the longest format, India will still start as favourites as they came close to a win in the first Test. Their superior record at the venue, winning 11 and losing seven, will keep them in good stead.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test prediction: Who will win series finale between India and New Zealand in Mumbai?

The world is once again under Covid-10 threat. While the pandemic was still far from over, the new Covid variant -- named Omicron -- has once again caused panic worldwide. The normalcy which was restored in many parts might again be curtailed as the threat from the new variant is being closely monitored.

Hence, it might also affect India's tour of South Africa, which is set to commence from December 17. Plenty of cricketing action has already been severely impacted due to the Omicron threat. Thus, Team India's forthcoming tour to the African nation, which has already reported Covid cases due to the Omicron variant, might also be rescheduled. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the tour is on as of now.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-awaits-governments-approval-for-sa-tour-amid-omicron-scare-series-might-be-rescheduled-report-433158">BCCI awaits government's approval for SA tour amid Omicron scare, series might be rescheduled: Report</a>

"The tour is on as things stand till now. We still have time to decide. The first Test is scheduled for December 17. We will ponder about it," Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event.' He added, "Players' security and health has always been BCCI's first priority, we will do everything possible for this. We will see what happens in the days to come."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sports-schedules-go-haywire-due-to-omicron-covid-variant-whats-cancelled-whats-postponed-432560#icc-womens-world-cup-qualifier-called-off-432555">Sports schedules go haywire due to Omicron Covid variant: What's cancelled, what's postponed</a>

For the unversed, Virat Kohli-led India are scheduled to leave for South Africa immediately after the conclusion of the two-match Test series versus New Zealand at home. As per the schedule, they will play three Tests, equal number of ODIs and four T20Is in the rainbow nation, from December 17-January 26.

India's last tour of SA had taken place in early 2018, when they had played three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is.

The world is once again under Covid-10 threat. While the pandemic was still far from over, the new Covid variant -- named Omicron -- has once again caused panic worldwide.

The world is once again under Covid-10 threat. While the pandemic was still far from over, the new Covid variant -- named Omicron -- has once again caused panic worldwide. The normalcy which was restored in many parts might again be curtailed as the threat from the new variant is being closely monitored. Hence, it might also affect India's tour of South Africa, which is set to commence from December 17. Plenty of cricketing action has already been severely impacted due to the Omicron threat. Thus, Team India's forthcoming tour to the African nation, which has already reported Covid cases due to the Omicron variant, might also be rescheduled. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the tour is on as of now. ALSO READ | BCCI awaits government's approval for SA tour amid Omicron scare, series might be rescheduled: Report "The tour is on as things stand till now. We still have time to decide. The first Test is scheduled for December 17. We will ponder about it," Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event.' He added, "Players' security and health has always been BCCI's first priority, we will do everything possible for this. We will see what happens in the days to come." ALSO READ | Sports schedules go haywire due to Omicron Covid variant: What's cancelled, what's postponed For the unversed, Virat Kohli-led India are scheduled to leave for South Africa immediately after the conclusion of the two-match Test series versus New Zealand at home. As per the schedule, they will play three Tests, equal number of ODIs and four T20Is in the rainbow nation, from December 17-January 26. India's last tour of SA had taken place in early 2018, when they had played three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is.

India’s tour of South Africa on as of now, we have time to decide, reveals BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly

Ajinkya Rahane's form has been a concern for quite some time. The Indian Test vice-captain has had a forgettable run in the longest format following his last triple-figure score, which came in the India-Australia series Down Under in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Since then, many former cricketers and experts have called for Rahane's omission. The right-hander also failed to get going in the India-New Zealand first Test at Green Park, Kanpur. While he got a start in the first innings (35), the 33-year-old failed to cross the double-figure mark in India's second essay. Hence, the pressure is on Rahane to get going and score a daddy hundred.

After the first Test between India and the Black Caps ended in a draw, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid, at the press conference, defended Rahane and said,&nbsp;"Rahane is a quality player, he has done well in past, it's just a matter of time, he would turn things around and he knows that as well. So don't get worried, of course, you would like more runs from him".

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-awaits-governments-approval-for-sa-tour-amid-omicron-scare-series-might-be-rescheduled-report-433158">BCCI awaits government's approval for SA tour amid Omicron scare, series might be rescheduled: Report</a>

However, Dravid's comments have not been received well by former India and Karnataka player Dodda Ganesh. "Even a tail ender can get a 50 once in 15-20 innings. Enough is enough," tweeted Ganesh.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Even a tail ender can get a 50 once in 15-20 innings. Enough is enough 🙏🏻 <a href="https://t.co/a75WW2qsvY">https://t.co/a75WW2qsvY</a>
— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) <a href="https://twitter.com/doddaganesha/status/1465362758107426820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Rahane's scores after his last ton are as follows:

27* 
22 
4 
37 
24 
1 
0 
67 
10 
7 
DNB 
27 
49 
15 
5 
DNB 
1 
61 
18 
10 
14 
0 
35 
4

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/only-one-person-whose-place-virat-kohli-can-take-former-player-names-who-should-be-benched-for-2nd-test-433007">'Only one person whose place Virat Kohli can take' - Former player names who should be benched for 2nd Test</a>

Thus, Rahane has crossed the 50-run mark only on one occasion after his Melbourne Test hundred. With regular captain Virat Kohli set to walk into the playing XI for the second and final Test versus the Kiwis, it will be interesting to see who will be dropped in order to make way for Kohli.&nbsp;

The second Test will commence on December 3 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Ajinkya Rahane's form has been a concern for quite some time. The Indian Test vice-captain has had a forgettable run in the longest format following his last triple-figure score, which came in the India-Australia series Down Under in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Ajinkya Rahane's form has been a concern for quite some time. The Indian Test vice-captain has had a forgettable run in the longest format following his last triple-figure score, which came in the India-Australia series Down Under in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Since then, many former cricketers and experts have called for Rahane's omission. The right-hander also failed to get going in the India-New Zealand first Test at Green Park, Kanpur. While he got a start in the first innings (35), the 33-year-old failed to cross the double-figure mark in India's second essay. Hence, the pressure is on Rahane to get going and score a daddy hundred. After the first Test between India and the Black Caps ended in a draw, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid, at the press conference, defended Rahane and said, "Rahane is a quality player, he has done well in past, it's just a matter of time, he would turn things around and he knows that as well. So don't get worried, of course, you would like more runs from him". ALSO READ | BCCI awaits government's approval for SA tour amid Omicron scare, series might be rescheduled: Report However, Dravid's comments have not been received well by former India and Karnataka player Dodda Ganesh. "Even a tail ender can get a 50 once in 15-20 innings. Enough is enough," tweeted Ganesh. Even a tail ender can get a 50 once in 15-20 innings. Enough is enough 🙏🏻 https://t.co/a75WW2qsvY — ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) November 29, 2021 × Rahane's scores after his last ton are as follows: 27* 22 4 37 24 1 0 67 10 7 DNB 27 49 15 5 DNB 1 61 18 10 14 0 35 4 ALSO READ | 'Only one person whose place Virat Kohli can take' - Former player names who should be benched for 2nd Test Thus, Rahane has crossed the 50-run mark only on one occasion after his Melbourne Test hundred. With regular captain Virat Kohli set to walk into the playing XI for the second and final Test versus the Kiwis, it will be interesting to see who will be dropped in order to make way for Kohli. The second Test will commence on December 3 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

'Enough is enough' - Former India player slams Ajinkya Rahane for his low returns ahead of 2nd Test vs NZ

The Sourav Ganguly-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put the national selection committee's meeting on hold with regard to India's upcoming tour of South Africa. This was been done due to the threat posed by the new Covid variant, named the&nbsp;'Omicron' in the African nation which is being closely monitored. With uncertainty looming large with respect to the travel restrictions worldwide, the BCCI has decided that it is wise to delay the announcement of the Indian squad for the upcoming tour.&nbsp;

According to a&nbsp;TOI report,&nbsp;BCCI is awaiting an approval from the Indian government before sending the team to the African country. Following the emergence of&nbsp;the new variant, South Africa has been named as an 'At-risk' country. Hence, while the situation might not have gone out of hand as yet, it is now a wait-and-watch scenario with regard&nbsp;to the SA tour.

As per&nbsp;the original schedule, Virat Kohli-led Team India are scheduled to board the flight to&nbsp;South Africa immediately after the conclusion of the second Test versus&nbsp;New Zealand in Mumbai, which is slated to end by December 7. However, the new Covid variant has put everything on hold. Thus, it remains to be seen if the BCCI will stick to the original schedule or tweak it a bit.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-indias-tour-of-sa-go-ahead-amid-omicron-scare-bcci-and-csa-in-touch-monitoring-situation-closely-432980">Will India's tour of SA go ahead amid Omicron scare? BCCI and CSA in touch, monitoring situation closely</a>

For the unversed, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah -- who have been rested for the ongoing NZ Tests -- were initially asked to enter a mandatory quarantine in Mumbai from December 3. However, as per reports, they are yet to receive a clear itinerary. Hence, the confusion prevails.&nbsp;

TOI also reports that the series might also be rescheduled in the given scenario. "Until the players get a reply from the BCCI, confusion will prevail because nobody knows anything. But if you look at the statement that's been released by a ministerial department of the government of South Africa, it emphasizes on the security process and thanks BCCI for the deep relationship the two countries have shared. That's their way of saying, 'come and we'll take care'. The ball is now in BCCI's court," sources privy to developments told TOI.

India's last tour of SA was held in early 2018, when Kohli &amp; Co. played three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is in the rainbow nation. Back then, India had lost the Tests 1-2 but won the ODIs and T20Is convincingly.

For now, it remains to be seen what will be the final decision regarding their forthcoming tour of SA amid the Omicron threat.

The Sourav Ganguly-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put the national selection committee's meeting on hold with regard to India's upcoming tour of South Africa.

The Sourav Ganguly-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put the national selection committee's meeting on hold with regard to India's upcoming tour of South Africa. This was been done due to the threat posed by the new Covid variant, named the 'Omicron' in the African nation which is being closely monitored. With uncertainty looming large with respect to the travel restrictions worldwide, the BCCI has decided that it is wise to delay the announcement of the Indian squad for the upcoming tour. According to a TOI report, BCCI is awaiting an approval from the Indian government before sending the team to the African country. Following the emergence of the new variant, South Africa has been named as an 'At-risk' country. Hence, while the situation might not have gone out of hand as yet, it is now a wait-and-watch scenario with regard to the SA tour. As per the original schedule, Virat Kohli-led Team India are scheduled to board the flight to South Africa immediately after the conclusion of the second Test versus New Zealand in Mumbai, which is slated to end by December 7. However, the new Covid variant has put everything on hold. Thus, it remains to be seen if the BCCI will stick to the original schedule or tweak it a bit. ALSO READ | Will India's tour of SA go ahead amid Omicron scare? BCCI and CSA in touch, monitoring situation closely For the unversed, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah -- who have been rested for the ongoing NZ Tests -- were initially asked to enter a mandatory quarantine in Mumbai from December 3. However, as per reports, they are yet to receive a clear itinerary. Hence, the confusion prevails. TOI also reports that the series might also be rescheduled in the given scenario. "Until the players get a reply from the BCCI, confusion will prevail because nobody knows anything. But if you look at the statement that's been released by a ministerial department of the government of South Africa, it emphasizes on the security process and thanks BCCI for the deep relationship the two countries have shared. That's their way of saying, 'come and we'll take care'. The ball is now in BCCI's court," sources privy to developments told TOI. India's last tour of SA was held in early 2018, when Kohli & Co. played three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is in the rainbow nation. Back then, India had lost the Tests 1-2 but won the ODIs and T20Is convincingly. For now, it remains to be seen what will be the final decision regarding their forthcoming tour of SA amid the Omicron threat.

BCCI awaits government's approval for SA tour amid Omicron scare, series might be rescheduled: Report

India and New Zealand locked horns with each other in the series opener of the two-match Test series at Green Park, Kanpur. The match had plenty of action and drama as the sporting pitch ensured that pacers, spinners as well as batters had something to extract from the 22-yard cricket strip.

Opting to bat first, Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India rode on Shreyas Iyer's 105 and fifties from Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill to post 345 all-out. In reply, NZ were all-out for 296 after half-centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young. Rahane &amp; Co. then declared their second innings at 234-7, courtesy fifties from Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha, as the Kiwis were given a stiff 284-run target. They went to stumps on Day 4 needing 280 more to win whereas India were nine wickets away from going 1-0 up.

Day 5 commenced with the Kiwis going to the lunch break without losing a wicket. However, India initiated their collapse as Black Caps went from 79/1 to 155/9. Nonetheless, Indian bowlers couldn't get rid of the last-wicket pair for the visitors as the match ended with Williamson &amp; Co. 165/9.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/only-one-person-whose-place-virat-kohli-can-take-former-player-names-who-should-be-benched-for-2nd-test-433007">'Only one person whose place Virat Kohli can take' - Former player names who should be benched for 2nd Test</a>

Thus, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed his disappointment with Rahane &amp; Co. failing to go 1-0 up in the series. Speaking on his Youtube channel, Inzy said,&nbsp;"Not sure whether we should give credit to New Zealand or call India unlucky. It was clear even yesterday that New Zealand cannot win the match because they wouldn't have been able to chase down the score (of 284). I feel New Zealand should be given credit for batting through the day on this pitch. I was, however, anticipating that there would be some wear and tear on the fifth day and that the likes of [Ravindra] Jadeja and [Axar] Patel would not let the batsmen play because the ball would spin.

"New Zealand should be commended because apart from [Kane] Williamson, they do not have a star batter in their ranks. But they all put their hands up and put in a combined effort. It's not that one person made a big score and continued to hold one end. Whoever came out to bat performed their duty very ably. They would have been told in the dressing room that they need to spend a lot of time in the middle and not chase after the total," elaborated Inzamam.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-r-ashwin-shares-how-harbhajans-2001-spell-vs-australia-inspired-him-to-become-a-spinner-432994">IND vs NZ: R Ashwin shares how Harbhajan's 2001 spell vs Australia inspired him to become a spinner</a>

He added, "On the other hand, this is a disappointment for India. I didn't think New Zealand would have bat through Day 5 against this Indian bowling attack. India should have bowled them out. Jadeja bowled well for his four wickets but I expected a lot more from all of them. I truly believe that the match should have finished within the first two sessions," concluded Inzamam.

After the first Test, India will see the return of their regular captain Virat Kohli in the squad. The second and final Test will commence from December 3 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.&nbsp;The home side will be eager to finish off the series on a high with a 1-0 scoreline and avenge their WTC final loss versus New Zealand.

India and New Zealand locked horns with each other in the series opener of the two-match Test series at Green Park, Kanpur. The match had plenty of action and drama as the sporting pitch ensured that pacers, spinners as well as batters had something to extract from the 22-yard cricket strip.

India and New Zealand locked horns with each other in the series opener of the two-match Test series at Green Park, Kanpur. The match had plenty of action and drama as the sporting pitch ensured that pacers, spinners as well as batters had something to extract from the 22-yard cricket strip. Opting to bat first, Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India rode on Shreyas Iyer's 105 and fifties from Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill to post 345 all-out. In reply, NZ were all-out for 296 after half-centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young. Rahane & Co. then declared their second innings at 234-7, courtesy fifties from Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha, as the Kiwis were given a stiff 284-run target. They went to stumps on Day 4 needing 280 more to win whereas India were nine wickets away from going 1-0 up. Day 5 commenced with the Kiwis going to the lunch break without losing a wicket. However, India initiated their collapse as Black Caps went from 79/1 to 155/9. Nonetheless, Indian bowlers couldn't get rid of the last-wicket pair for the visitors as the match ended with Williamson & Co. 165/9. ALSO READ | 'Only one person whose place Virat Kohli can take' - Former player names who should be benched for 2nd Test Thus, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed his disappointment with Rahane & Co. failing to go 1-0 up in the series. Speaking on his Youtube channel, Inzy said, "Not sure whether we should give credit to New Zealand or call India unlucky. It was clear even yesterday that New Zealand cannot win the match because they wouldn't have been able to chase down the score (of 284). I feel New Zealand should be given credit for batting through the day on this pitch. I was, however, anticipating that there would be some wear and tear on the fifth day and that the likes of [Ravindra] Jadeja and [Axar] Patel would not let the batsmen play because the ball would spin. "New Zealand should be commended because apart from [Kane] Williamson, they do not have a star batter in their ranks. But they all put their hands up and put in a combined effort. It's not that one person made a big score and continued to hold one end. Whoever came out to bat performed their duty very ably. They would have been told in the dressing room that they need to spend a lot of time in the middle and not chase after the total," elaborated Inzamam. ALSO READ | IND vs NZ: R Ashwin shares how Harbhajan's 2001 spell vs Australia inspired him to become a spinner He added, "On the other hand, this is a disappointment for India. I didn't think New Zealand would have bat through Day 5 against this Indian bowling attack. India should have bowled them out. Jadeja bowled well for his four wickets but I expected a lot more from all of them. I truly believe that the match should have finished within the first two sessions," concluded Inzamam. After the first Test, India will see the return of their regular captain Virat Kohli in the squad. The second and final Test will commence from December 3 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The home side will be eager to finish off the series on a high with a 1-0 scoreline and avenge their WTC final loss versus New Zealand.

India should have bowled them out: Former Pak captain disappointed as India fail to win Kanpur Test vs NZ

India and New Zealand played out a humdinger of a first Test at Green Park, Kanpur. The series opener ended in a riveting draw with Kane Williamson-led New Zealand being 165/9 in pursuit of 284 set by Ajinkya Rahane-led India. When the fifth and final day commenced, all three results were possible as Kiwis needed another 280 runs whereas the home side were in search of nine more wickets.

While New Zealand played out the morning session without losing a single wicket, they surrendered the momentum from thereon. From 79 for 1, NZ were reduced to 155-9 before debutant Rachin Ravindra (18 not out off 91 balls) and Ajaz Patel survived 52 deliveries, for the final wicket, to ensure a draw.&nbsp;

The second and final Test will now begin on December 3, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, where regular captain Virat Kohli will walk into the playing XI after being rested for the series opener. While India may tweak their bowling combination, mainly replacing Ishant Sharma with another pacer, they are likely to go ahead with five bowlers. Hence, the axe will fall on one of their batters.&nbsp;

Among them, Mayank Agarwal and Ajinkya Rahane had an ordinary run in the Kanpur Test. While Cheteshwar Pujara also couldn't do much, he played a lot of deliveries in the first essay and is likely to hold onto his spot. Thus, former Indian all-rounder Madan Lal recently named the player who should be dropped for the Mumbai Test.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-r-ashwin-shares-how-harbhajans-2001-spell-vs-australia-inspired-him-to-become-a-spinner-432994">IND vs NZ: R Ashwin shares how Harbhajan's 2001 spell vs Australia inspired him to become a spinner</a>

"I don't think so," said Lal on Sports Tak when asked if Rahane will be part of the playing XI for the final Test. "Shreyas Iyer scored valuable runs in both innings, and then Pujara is a batter who has scored runs. He may have not scored big hundreds but Pujara has stayed at the wicket and scored runs. The same cannot be said about Rahane though. So I feel that if you are to make a change, there is only one person whose place Virat can take, which is Ajinkya Rahane," he pointed out.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-indias-tour-of-sa-go-ahead-amid-omicron-scare-bcci-and-csa-in-touch-monitoring-situation-closely-432980">Will India's tour of SA go ahead amid Omicron scare? BCCI and CSA in touch, monitoring situation closely</a>

After the Kanpur Test, Rahane told the broadcasters, "Virat is coming back for the next game. We'll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call."

India will aim to finish the series on a high, with a 1-0 scoreline following the Mumbai Test.

India and New Zealand played out a humdinger of a first Test at Green Park, Kanpur. The series opener ended in a riveting draw with Kane Williamson-led New Zealand being 165/9 in pursuit of 284 set by Ajinkya Rahane-led India.

India and New Zealand played out a humdinger of a first Test at Green Park, Kanpur. The series opener ended in a riveting draw with Kane Williamson-led New Zealand being 165/9 in pursuit of 284 set by Ajinkya Rahane-led India. When the fifth and final day commenced, all three results were possible as Kiwis needed another 280 runs whereas the home side were in search of nine more wickets. While New Zealand played out the morning session without losing a single wicket, they surrendered the momentum from thereon. From 79 for 1, NZ were reduced to 155-9 before debutant Rachin Ravindra (18 not out off 91 balls) and Ajaz Patel survived 52 deliveries, for the final wicket, to ensure a draw. The second and final Test will now begin on December 3, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, where regular captain Virat Kohli will walk into the playing XI after being rested for the series opener. While India may tweak their bowling combination, mainly replacing Ishant Sharma with another pacer, they are likely to go ahead with five bowlers. Hence, the axe will fall on one of their batters. Among them, Mayank Agarwal and Ajinkya Rahane had an ordinary run in the Kanpur Test. While Cheteshwar Pujara also couldn't do much, he played a lot of deliveries in the first essay and is likely to hold onto his spot. Thus, former Indian all-rounder Madan Lal recently named the player who should be dropped for the Mumbai Test. ALSO READ | IND vs NZ: R Ashwin shares how Harbhajan's 2001 spell vs Australia inspired him to become a spinner "I don't think so," said Lal on Sports Tak when asked if Rahane will be part of the playing XI for the final Test. "Shreyas Iyer scored valuable runs in both innings, and then Pujara is a batter who has scored runs. He may have not scored big hundreds but Pujara has stayed at the wicket and scored runs. The same cannot be said about Rahane though. So I feel that if you are to make a change, there is only one person whose place Virat can take, which is Ajinkya Rahane," he pointed out. ALSO READ | Will India's tour of SA go ahead amid Omicron scare? BCCI and CSA in touch, monitoring situation closely After the Kanpur Test, Rahane told the broadcasters, "Virat is coming back for the next game. We'll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call." India will aim to finish the series on a high, with a 1-0 scoreline following the Mumbai Test.

'Only one person whose place Virat Kohli can take' - Former player names who should be benched for 2nd Test

India and New Zealand's first Test, in Kanpur, ended in a riveting draw on Monday (November 29). The fifth day started with all three results very much on the cards. Ajinkya Rahane-led India needed 9 more wickets whereas Kane Williamson's New Zealand required another 280 runs, being 4 for 1 at stumps on Day 4.

The contest resumed with NZ ending the first session without losing a single wicket. Nonetheless, the game changed quickly post the lunch break as the visitors slipped to 155-9 after being well-placed at 79 for 1 at one stage. R Ashwin's 3-fer and Ravindra Jadeja's 4 for 40 led India on the brink of a big win before debutant Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel played out 52 deliveries, for the last wicket, to ensure a famous draw in Kanpur.

While Day 5 had plenty of drama and action, both India and New Zealand had to settle for a draw eventually. However, former Aussie spin wizard Shane Warne wasn't impressed with Rahane &amp; Co. for not taking the new ball as soon as it was available during the fag end of the contest.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/how-goods-test-cricket-glenn-maxwells-tweet-goes-viral-during-day-5-of-india-nz-kanpur-face-off-432831">How good’s test cricket: Glenn Maxwell's tweet goes viral during Day 5 of India-NZ Kanpur face-off</a>

Warne tweeted, "Very surprised India didn’t take the new ball when it was available !!!! Strange they are still bowling with the old ball as light and overs running out !!!!!! Thoughts?"

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Very surprised India didn’t take the new ball when it was available !!!! Strange they are still bowling with the old ball as light and overs running out !!!!!! Thoughts ?
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/none-like-the-wall-rahul-dravid-donates-generously-to-groundstaff-for-sporting-track-in-kanpur-test-432796">None like The Wall! Rahul Dravid donates generously to groundstaff for sporting track in Kanpur Test</a>

After the drawn Kanpur Test, stand-in captain Rahane told the broadcasters, "Very good game of cricket, they played really well. We came back really well after the first session. We wanted to get that partnership going. We were looking to bowl 5-6 overs in the end, but we needed that partnership to carry on. I don't think we could have done anything different. The chat with the umps was about the light. As a fielding team, you want to bowl more overs, as a batting unit you don't want to bat in that situation. The chat was about the light, but umpires made the call and I thought they were right. I thought on this wicket the spinners had to bowl long spells. It was all about rotating the bowlers and they bowled really well. I am really happy for Shreyas. He had to wait a long time for his Test debut. He batted really well. The way he works, his record in FC cricket is really good. Virat is coming back for the next game. We'll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call."

The series finale will be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3. Regular captain Virat Kohli will return to the squad and look to take the hosts to a 1-0 series win.

India and New Zealand's first Test, in Kanpur, ended in a riveting draw on Monday (November 29). The fifth day started with all three results very much on the cards.

India and New Zealand's first Test, in Kanpur, ended in a riveting draw on Monday (November 29). The fifth day started with all three results very much on the cards. Ajinkya Rahane-led India needed 9 more wickets whereas Kane Williamson's New Zealand required another 280 runs, being 4 for 1 at stumps on Day 4. The contest resumed with NZ ending the first session without losing a single wicket. Nonetheless, the game changed quickly post the lunch break as the visitors slipped to 155-9 after being well-placed at 79 for 1 at one stage. R Ashwin's 3-fer and Ravindra Jadeja's 4 for 40 led India on the brink of a big win before debutant Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel played out 52 deliveries, for the last wicket, to ensure a famous draw in Kanpur. While Day 5 had plenty of drama and action, both India and New Zealand had to settle for a draw eventually. However, former Aussie spin wizard Shane Warne wasn't impressed with Rahane & Co. for not taking the new ball as soon as it was available during the fag end of the contest. ALSO READ | How good’s test cricket: Glenn Maxwell's tweet goes viral during Day 5 of India-NZ Kanpur face-off Warne tweeted, "Very surprised India didn’t take the new ball when it was available !!!! Strange they are still bowling with the old ball as light and overs running out !!!!!! Thoughts?" Very surprised India didn’t take the new ball when it was available !!!! Strange they are still bowling with the old ball as light and overs running out !!!!!! Thoughts ? — Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) November 29, 2021 × ALSO READ | None like The Wall! Rahul Dravid donates generously to groundstaff for sporting track in Kanpur Test After the drawn Kanpur Test, stand-in captain Rahane told the broadcasters, "Very good game of cricket, they played really well. We came back really well after the first session. We wanted to get that partnership going. We were looking to bowl 5-6 overs in the end, but we needed that partnership to carry on. I don't think we could have done anything different. The chat with the umps was about the light. As a fielding team, you want to bowl more overs, as a batting unit you don't want to bat in that situation. The chat was about the light, but umpires made the call and I thought they were right. I thought on this wicket the spinners had to bowl long spells. It was all about rotating the bowlers and they bowled really well. I am really happy for Shreyas. He had to wait a long time for his Test debut. He batted really well. The way he works, his record in FC cricket is really good. Virat is coming back for the next game. We'll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call." The series finale will be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3. Regular captain Virat Kohli will return to the squad and look to take the hosts to a 1-0 series win.

Shane Warne left baffled, points out India's 'strange tactic' during Day 5 of drawn Kanpur Test

India head coach Rahul Dravid has backed captain Ajinkya Rahane to come good, saying that he is a quality player who did well for India in the past. He insisted that it is a matter of just one innings for Rahane to get back into form. 
 
In Test matches this year, Rahane has now scored 411 runs in 21 innings at an average of 19.57, with just two half-centuries. A lot was expected of him in the first Test but Rahane registered scores of 35 and 4, resulting in his Test career average going below 40. 
 
"You don`t get worried (about Rahane`s poor form). Of course, I would like more runs coming off the bat of Ajinkya. I am sure he would like a few more runs. He`s a quality player and done well for India in the past. He`s one of those quality players and has got the experience. It is just a matter of innings in a game where he can turn that around. He would like to score more runs and he knows that and we also know that," said Dravid in the post-match press conference.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/harbhajan-singh-reacts-as-r-ashwin-topples-him-to-become-indias-3rd-highest-wicket-taker-in-tests-432808">Harbhajan Singh reacts as R Ashwin topples him to become India's 3rd highest wicket-taker in Tests</a>

Dravid shielded from giving hints on the make-up of the playing eleven for the second Test in Mumbai, where regular skipper Virat Kohli will join the squad. "See, we`haven`t decided yet. It will be too early to decide because we were thinking of this Test match. When we will go to Mumbai, we will see the conditions, pitch, the fitness of the players, and consultation with Virat Kohli, who will come as well. Then we will decide who will be a part of the playing eleven." 
 
Dravid was in praise of middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer shining in his debut outing in Test cricket, adding that it was a validation of the system in Indian cricket. Iyer was the top scorer for India in both innings, scoring 105 and 65 on debut, which saw him bag the Player of the Match award. 
 
"I think it`s great to see the young guys come through and perform straightaway on debut. We saw that little bit in the T20 series as well with one or two players who came in and made a good account of themselves. It`s always good to see a young kid come in and do well for India in his first Test match. It`s obviously a reflection of that person but it is also a really good reflection of the Indian system that we have been properly able to develop." 
 
"It is not just` India A, he`s played at Mumbai, at various levels, and at club cricket. But he has developed and grown into a cricketer who can come into the international scene and perform straightaway. Really happy for Shreyas. He has worked really hard and has earned it. It wasn`t easy for him, considering the fact that he has averaged over 50 in first-class crick`t, but hadn`t played first-class cricket for three year` and wouldn`t have reached the level if we hadn`t got the injuries or had people resting. But he got his opportunities and taken it with both hands. He`s really shown his quality."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/none-like-the-wall-rahul-dravid-donates-generously-to-groundstaff-for-sporting-track-in-kanpur-test-432796">None like The Wall! Rahul Dravid donates generously to groundstaff for sporting track in Kanpur Test</a>

The 48-year-old hailed Ravichandran Ashwin`s achievement of surpassing Harbhajan Singh to be the third-highest wicket-take for India in Test cricket with 418 scalps, choosing to focus more on his evolution and growth as an off-spinner. "It`s a phenomenal achievement. Harbhajan Singh was a really fine bowler and someone I played a lot of cricket with. Terrific bowler for India and what Ashwin has done to go past him in 80 Test matches is a phenomenal achievement." 
 
"Ashwin is one of those guys who has been an absolute match-winner for India. Even today, on this difficult wicket, the way he pulled us back into the game, that third morning with that spell of 11 overs was absolutely phenomenal and then today, just to keep us alive in the game, constantly threatening on wickets like this, is a tribute to his skill and ability." 
 
"I think he`s just evolved and kept growing. He`s one of the guys who just keeps thinking about the game and keeps evolving as well as changing. That is why he is got where he has. You don`t achieve what Ashwin has without growing, improving` and evolving. It`s a pleasure to have someone like him in the dressing room and really happy for him to achieve what he has," concluded Dravid.

India head coach Rahul Dravid has backed captain Ajinkya Rahane to come good, saying that he is a quality player who did well for India in the past. He insisted that it is a matter of just one innings for Rahane to get back into form.

India head coach Rahul Dravid has backed captain Ajinkya Rahane to come good, saying that he is a quality player who did well for India in the past. He insisted that it is a matter of just one innings for Rahane to get back into form. In Test matches this year, Rahane has now scored 411 runs in 21 innings at an average of 19.57, with just two half-centuries. A lot was expected of him in the first Test but Rahane registered scores of 35 and 4, resulting in his Test career average going below 40. "You don`t get worried (about Rahane`s poor form). Of course, I would like more runs coming off the bat of Ajinkya. I am sure he would like a few more runs. He`s a quality player and done well for India in the past. He`s one of those quality players and has got the experience. It is just a matter of innings in a game where he can turn that around. He would like to score more runs and he knows that and we also know that," said Dravid in the post-match press conference. ALSO READ | Harbhajan Singh reacts as R Ashwin topples him to become India's 3rd highest wicket-taker in Tests Dravid shielded from giving hints on the make-up of the playing eleven for the second Test in Mumbai, where regular skipper Virat Kohli will join the squad. "See, we`haven`t decided yet. It will be too early to decide because we were thinking of this Test match. When we will go to Mumbai, we will see the conditions, pitch, the fitness of the players, and consultation with Virat Kohli, who will come as well. Then we will decide who will be a part of the playing eleven." Dravid was in praise of middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer shining in his debut outing in Test cricket, adding that it was a validation of the system in Indian cricket. Iyer was the top scorer for India in both innings, scoring 105 and 65 on debut, which saw him bag the Player of the Match award. "I think it`s great to see the young guys come through and perform straightaway on debut. We saw that little bit in the T20 series as well with one or two players who came in and made a good account of themselves. It`s always good to see a young kid come in and do well for India in his first Test match. It`s obviously a reflection of that person but it is also a really good reflection of the Indian system that we have been properly able to develop." "It is not just` India A, he`s played at Mumbai, at various levels, and at club cricket. But he has developed and grown into a cricketer who can come into the international scene and perform straightaway. Really happy for Shreyas. He has worked really hard and has earned it. It wasn`t easy for him, considering the fact that he has averaged over 50 in first-class crick`t, but hadn`t played first-class cricket for three year` and wouldn`t have reached the level if we hadn`t got the injuries or had people resting. But he got his opportunities and taken it with both hands. He`s really shown his quality." ALSO READ | None like The Wall! Rahul Dravid donates generously to groundstaff for sporting track in Kanpur Test The 48-year-old hailed Ravichandran Ashwin`s achievement of surpassing Harbhajan Singh to be the third-highest wicket-take for India in Test cricket with 418 scalps, choosing to focus more on his evolution and growth as an off-spinner. "It`s a phenomenal achievement. Harbhajan Singh was a really fine bowler and someone I played a lot of cricket with. Terrific bowler for India and what Ashwin has done to go past him in 80 Test matches is a phenomenal achievement." "Ashwin is one of those guys who has been an absolute match-winner for India. Even today, on this difficult wicket, the way he pulled us back into the game, that third morning with that spell of 11 overs was absolutely phenomenal and then today, just to keep us alive in the game, constantly threatening on wickets like this, is a tribute to his skill and ability." "I think he`s just evolved and kept growing. He`s one of the guys who just keeps thinking about the game and keeps evolving as well as changing. That is why he is got where he has. You don`t achieve what Ashwin has without growing, improving` and evolving. It`s a pleasure to have someone like him in the dressing room and really happy for him to achieve what he has," concluded Dravid.

He's a quality player and done well for India in the past: Rahul Dravid backs under-fire Ajinkya Rahane

The first Test between India and New Zealand ended in a dramatic fashion as the Kane Williamson-led visitors managed to earn a draw. Ajinkya Rahane &amp; Co. couldn't claim the last wicket as the Black Caps ended at 165/9 in pursuit of 284 on the final day on Monday (November 29).

While the result couldn't be produced, the series opener lived upto expectations due to its sporting track. The groundstaff did a splendid job in preparing a track which had something to offer for pacers, spinners as well as the batters. Hence, the contest went into the last half hour and had everything in it to be labelled as a classic encounter even though no team managed a win.

Hence, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid was impressed with the groundsmen and donated generously (approximately 470 usd) for their hard work.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-should-make-way-for-kohli-ex-all-rounder-names-senior-batter-who-should-be-dropped-for-2nd-test-432739">He should make way for Kohli: Ex all-rounder names senior batter who should be dropped for 2nd Test</a>

"We would like to make an official announcement. Mr Rahul Dravid has paid&nbsp;₹35,000 personally to our groundsmen," the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) announced in the press box after the conclusion of the Kanpur Test.

Talking about the match, Rahane-led India won the toss and opted to bat first. Riding on Shreyas Iyer's 105 and fifties from Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja, India posted 345 all-out. In reply, the Kiwis managed 296 whereas they were given a stiff task to chase down 284 after the home side declared at 234-7, with a handy 49-run lead.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-wasim-jaffer-shares-an-out-of-the-box-suggestion-on-who-could-open-with-shubman-gill-in-2nd-test-432784">IND vs NZ: Wasim Jaffer shares an 'out-of-the-box' suggestion on who could open with Shubman Gill in 2nd Test</a>

On Day Five, Tom Latham's 52 and debutant Rachin Ravindra's 18* (91 balls) ensured the Kiwis managed a draw as the proceedings ended with them being 165/9. For India, R Ashwin returned with a three-fer whereas Ravindra Jadeja ended with 4 for 40.

At the post-match presentation, stand-in captain Rahane said, "Very good game of cricket, they played really well. We came back really well after the first session. We wanted to get that partnership going. We were looking to bowl 5-6 overs in the end, but we needed that partnership to carry on. I don't think we could have done anything different. The chat with the umps was about the light. As a fielding team, you want to bowl more overs, as a batting unit you don't want to bat in that situation. The chat was about the light, but umpires made the call and I thought they were right. I thought on this wicket the spinners had to bowl long spells. It was all about rotating the bowlers and they bowled really well. I am really happy for Shreyas. He had to wait a long time for his Test debut. He batted really well. The way he works, his record in FC cricket is really good. Virat is coming back for the next game. We'll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call."

The second and final Test will begin on December 3 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

The first Test between India and New Zealand ended in a dramatic fashion as the Kane Williamson-led visitors managed to earn a draw. Ajinkya Rahane & Co. couldn't claim the last wicket as the Black Caps ended at 165/9 in pursuit of 284 on the final day on Monday (November 29).

The first Test between India and New Zealand ended in a dramatic fashion as the Kane Williamson-led visitors managed to earn a draw. Ajinkya Rahane & Co. couldn't claim the last wicket as the Black Caps ended at 165/9 in pursuit of 284 on the final day on Monday (November 29). While the result couldn't be produced, the series opener lived upto expectations due to its sporting track. The groundstaff did a splendid job in preparing a track which had something to offer for pacers, spinners as well as the batters. Hence, the contest went into the last half hour and had everything in it to be labelled as a classic encounter even though no team managed a win. Hence, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid was impressed with the groundsmen and donated generously (approximately 470 usd) for their hard work. ALSO READ | He should make way for Kohli: Ex all-rounder names senior batter who should be dropped for 2nd Test "We would like to make an official announcement. Mr Rahul Dravid has paid ₹35,000 personally to our groundsmen," the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) announced in the press box after the conclusion of the Kanpur Test. Talking about the match, Rahane-led India won the toss and opted to bat first. Riding on Shreyas Iyer's 105 and fifties from Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja, India posted 345 all-out. In reply, the Kiwis managed 296 whereas they were given a stiff task to chase down 284 after the home side declared at 234-7, with a handy 49-run lead. ALSO READ | IND vs NZ: Wasim Jaffer shares an 'out-of-the-box' suggestion on who could open with Shubman Gill in 2nd Test On Day Five, Tom Latham's 52 and debutant Rachin Ravindra's 18* (91 balls) ensured the Kiwis managed a draw as the proceedings ended with them being 165/9. For India, R Ashwin returned with a three-fer whereas Ravindra Jadeja ended with 4 for 40. At the post-match presentation, stand-in captain Rahane said, "Very good game of cricket, they played really well. We came back really well after the first session. We wanted to get that partnership going. We were looking to bowl 5-6 overs in the end, but we needed that partnership to carry on. I don't think we could have done anything different. The chat with the umps was about the light. As a fielding team, you want to bowl more overs, as a batting unit you don't want to bat in that situation. The chat was about the light, but umpires made the call and I thought they were right. I thought on this wicket the spinners had to bowl long spells. It was all about rotating the bowlers and they bowled really well. I am really happy for Shreyas. He had to wait a long time for his Test debut. He batted really well. The way he works, his record in FC cricket is really good. Virat is coming back for the next game. We'll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call." The second and final Test will begin on December 3 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

None like The Wall! Rahul Dravid donates generously to groundstaff for sporting track in Kanpur Test

Team India star Shreyas Iyer had a dream Test debut against New Zealand in the ongoing series-opener between the two sides at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. After a magnificent century in India's first innings, Iyer followed it up with a brilliant half-century in the second innings to become the first India batter to score a ton and a fifty on Test debut.

India's top-order suffered a terrible collapse in their second innings on Day 4 of the Test match on Sunday as the visitors were left reeling at 51/5 at one point. Iyer showed remarkable grit and batted well to bail the hosts out of trouble with his terrific knock.

He combined with R Ashwin (32) to post a 52-run stand for the sixth wicket before adding 64 runs for the seventh wicket with Wriddhiman Shaha, who also played an amazing knock of 61 runs.

Iyer revealed the advice he had recieved from head coach Rahu Dravid before going in to bat and also said it was not the first time that he found himself in such a pressure situation as he has played such knocks in domestic cricket as well.

"I had been in this situation before as well, not with the Indian team but with my Ranji team. Mindset was to play the session and play as many balls as possible. I wasn't thinking too far ahead, was just focusing on the present," Iyer told the official broadcaster at the end of the 4th day's play in Kanpur.

He revealed Dravi had asked him to stay out their in the middle for as long as possible and stay as long as he can.&nbsp;. "Rahul Sir had told me to bat as many balls as possible and I was determined to do that," said the right-hander, who scored 105 and 65 in the two innings of his debut Test match.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shreyas-iyer-scripts-history-becomes-1st-indian-to-slam-ton-half-century-on-test-debut-432522">Shreyas Iyer scripts history, becomes 1st Indian to slam ton &amp; half-century on Test debut</a>

With the help of half-centuries from Iyer and Saha, India posted 234/7 on the board and stretched their lead to 283 runs before declaring. New Zealand lost opener Will Young (2) cheaply in their second innings as R Ashwin struck early for India toward the closure of Day 4. New Zealand now need 280 runs to win with nine wickets to spare and a day in hand.

Indian are in a strong position in the Test match and will be looking to bundle out the visitors quickly on the final day and seal the Test match.

&nbsp;

Team India star Shreyas Iyer had a dream Test debut against New Zealand in the ongoing series-opener between the two sides at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. After a magnificent century in India's first innings, Iyer followed it up with a brilliant half-century in the second innings to become the first India batter to score a ton and a fifty on Test debut.

Team India star Shreyas Iyer had a dream Test debut against New Zealand in the ongoing series-opener between the two sides at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. After a magnificent century in India's first innings, Iyer followed it up with a brilliant half-century in the second innings to become the first India batter to score a ton and a fifty on Test debut. India's top-order suffered a terrible collapse in their second innings on Day 4 of the Test match on Sunday as the visitors were left reeling at 51/5 at one point. Iyer showed remarkable grit and batted well to bail the hosts out of trouble with his terrific knock. He combined with R Ashwin (32) to post a 52-run stand for the sixth wicket before adding 64 runs for the seventh wicket with Wriddhiman Shaha, who also played an amazing knock of 61 runs. Iyer revealed the advice he had recieved from head coach Rahu Dravid before going in to bat and also said it was not the first time that he found himself in such a pressure situation as he has played such knocks in domestic cricket as well. "I had been in this situation before as well, not with the Indian team but with my Ranji team. Mindset was to play the session and play as many balls as possible. I wasn't thinking too far ahead, was just focusing on the present," Iyer told the official broadcaster at the end of the 4th day's play in Kanpur. He revealed Dravi had asked him to stay out their in the middle for as long as possible and stay as long as he can. . "Rahul Sir had told me to bat as many balls as possible and I was determined to do that," said the right-hander, who scored 105 and 65 in the two innings of his debut Test match. Also Read: Shreyas Iyer scripts history, becomes 1st Indian to slam ton & half-century on Test debut With the help of half-centuries from Iyer and Saha, India posted 234/7 on the board and stretched their lead to 283 runs before declaring. New Zealand lost opener Will Young (2) cheaply in their second innings as R Ashwin struck early for India toward the closure of Day 4. New Zealand now need 280 runs to win with nine wickets to spare and a day in hand. Indian are in a strong position in the Test match and will be looking to bundle out the visitors quickly on the final day and seal the Test match.

Shreyas Iyer reveals advice from head coach Rahul Dravid after dream Test debut against New Zealand

His career spanned for 16 years (1996-2012). Sticking to his reputation of being a 'Test specialist', he proved his critics right and amassed 13,288 runs in the format. During his early days, not many rated him as an ODI player. However, he was far from being a pushover in ODIs and ended with 10,288 runs&nbsp;(to date, he is among five Indian players with over 10k runs in 50-over format).&nbsp;

Rahul Dravid is synonymous to breaking norm without creating much fuss. When the legendary cricketer first appeared in international cricket, he was the first to accept that he was far from the best. Having someone of the stature of Sachin Tendulkar, who was already in his seventh year in international cricket, Dravid started his initial years trying to fit into the national side.&nbsp;

Dravid's zeal to perfect his game was evident right from the start.&nbsp;Hence, he performed at his best in the 1999 ODI World Cup while playing as a top-order batsman. As a result, he ended being the highest run-getter (461 runs) despite many feeling that ODIs weren't his cup of tea. While his ardent fans remember him as the country's greatest No. 3 Test batsman, one of his most defining knocks in whites came at No. 6 (180 in the 2001 Kolkata Test versus Australia). Thus, his relentless, childlike passion to better himself and serve the team in any manner caught up with fans instantly.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-will-do-kapil-dev-makes-bold-claim-on-team-indias-head-coach-rahul-dravid-432134">'He will do....' - Kapil Dev makes bold claim on Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid</a>

The challenges multiplied as years progressed for Dravid in international cricket. When Sourav Ganguly-led India were struggling to finalise a wicketkeeper-batsman in the line-up, the then skipper turned to his deputy in Dravid. In the 2003 ODI World Cup, Dravid returned with third-most dismissals among keepers (16). While he was reluctant to take the gloves at first, the former cricketer gave in just for the sake of adding more to the national side (vastly helping in the team combination). While run-making was his primary job, Dravid didn't believe in doing the routine business and moving&nbsp;aside. Time and again, he raised his hands to volunteer in bailing Team India out of crisis.

Before world cricket recognised MS Dhoni's brilliance as a finisher and he became the darling of his nation, Dravid also&nbsp;did the same job with distinction. Even before his captaincy stint, Dravid finished many innings and games with a bang (versus Sri Lanka, England, West Indies). In addition, his strike-rate soared significantly while batting with the captain's tag next to his name. Once slammed for being&nbsp;slow and a perfect foil to draw Test matches, the right-hander struck at 75. 42 as an ODI captain. It is to be noted that his overall strike-rate reads 71.23. Moreover, he struck at a whopping 83.64 in 2007.

Dravid also took over as India's captain in one of their most-troubled times (in the aftermath of the infamous Ganguly-Greg Chappell era). Keeping the forgettable&nbsp;2007 ODI WC aside, India flourished under his astute leadership and tactical awareness. Further, Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and many others' respective careers gained mileage under his watchful eyes. In addition, India became a daunting chasing side by constantly batting second (achieving the world record of completing 17 successful ODI run-chases on the trot).

While the regular fans will remember Dravid's staggering career statistics, the&nbsp;connoisseurs of the game acknowledge that he was never&nbsp;behind bettering his numbers. The man has always been a selfless servant of Indian cricket. Hence, he has continued to remain relevant in Indian cricket's rise by constantly reinventing himself and promoting the game as a supporting actor.&nbsp;

After hanging his boots, Dravid stepped into coaching. From 2016-2019, the former Indian captain took over the reins of India A and U-19 as the head coach. Under him, youngsters such as Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, etc. have not only flourished but are now integral to Indian team across formats. His simplicity and keeping-things-simple formula has gelled well with youngsters in finding their feet. Moreover, Dravid has given equal, or more, credit to his support staff and ensured his entire unit moved together in unison.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rahul-dravid-once-scolded-him-sehwag-shares-unheard-incident-that-transformed-finisher-ms-dhoni-432151">'Rahul Dravid once scolded him' - Sehwag shares unheard incident that transformed 'finisher' MS Dhoni</a>

After the U-19 and India A coaching stint, Dravid added another new role in his glittering CV; i.e. taking over the National Cricket Academy. As the NCA head, he ensured a regular supply of young and uncapped players to the national setup, as and when required, by taking care of them in the premier academy. Moreover, the NCA also looked after the injured key players for their timely recovery.&nbsp;

At present, the 48-year-old Dravid has taken over as India's full-time head coach, till the 2023 ODI World Cup. While many would feel his stature made it easier for him to land at the top job, however, he has rightly won the post by going through the hard yards and proving that his love for Indian cricket remains unchanged.&nbsp;

Dravid has truckload of runs under his belt to prove his mettle. However, the former player doesn't deserve to be&nbsp;judged by numbers. He adds value to Indian cricket in many ways and continues to serve in any given manner; showcasing his unflinching loyalty to the country's most-loved sport.

His career spanned for 16 years (1996-2012). Sticking to his reputation of being a 'Test specialist', he proved his critics right and amassed 13,288 runs in the format.

His career spanned for 16 years (1996-2012). Sticking to his reputation of being a 'Test specialist', he proved his critics right and amassed 13,288 runs in the format. During his early days, not many rated him as an ODI player. However, he was far from being a pushover in ODIs and ended with 10,288 runs (to date, he is among five Indian players with over 10k runs in 50-over format). Rahul Dravid is synonymous to breaking norm without creating much fuss. When the legendary cricketer first appeared in international cricket, he was the first to accept that he was far from the best. Having someone of the stature of Sachin Tendulkar, who was already in his seventh year in international cricket, Dravid started his initial years trying to fit into the national side. Dravid's zeal to perfect his game was evident right from the start. Hence, he performed at his best in the 1999 ODI World Cup while playing as a top-order batsman. As a result, he ended being the highest run-getter (461 runs) despite many feeling that ODIs weren't his cup of tea. While his ardent fans remember him as the country's greatest No. 3 Test batsman, one of his most defining knocks in whites came at No. 6 (180 in the 2001 Kolkata Test versus Australia). Thus, his relentless, childlike passion to better himself and serve the team in any manner caught up with fans instantly. ALSO READ | 'He will do....' - Kapil Dev makes bold claim on Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid The challenges multiplied as years progressed for Dravid in international cricket. When Sourav Ganguly-led India were struggling to finalise a wicketkeeper-batsman in the line-up, the then skipper turned to his deputy in Dravid. In the 2003 ODI World Cup, Dravid returned with third-most dismissals among keepers (16). While he was reluctant to take the gloves at first, the former cricketer gave in just for the sake of adding more to the national side (vastly helping in the team combination). While run-making was his primary job, Dravid didn't believe in doing the routine business and moving aside. Time and again, he raised his hands to volunteer in bailing Team India out of crisis. Before world cricket recognised MS Dhoni's brilliance as a finisher and he became the darling of his nation, Dravid also did the same job with distinction. Even before his captaincy stint, Dravid finished many innings and games with a bang (versus Sri Lanka, England, West Indies). In addition, his strike-rate soared significantly while batting with the captain's tag next to his name. Once slammed for being slow and a perfect foil to draw Test matches, the right-hander struck at 75. 42 as an ODI captain. It is to be noted that his overall strike-rate reads 71.23. Moreover, he struck at a whopping 83.64 in 2007. Dravid also took over as India's captain in one of their most-troubled times (in the aftermath of the infamous Ganguly-Greg Chappell era). Keeping the forgettable 2007 ODI WC aside, India flourished under his astute leadership and tactical awareness. Further, Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and many others' respective careers gained mileage under his watchful eyes. In addition, India became a daunting chasing side by constantly batting second (achieving the world record of completing 17 successful ODI run-chases on the trot). While the regular fans will remember Dravid's staggering career statistics, the connoisseurs of the game acknowledge that he was never behind bettering his numbers. The man has always been a selfless servant of Indian cricket. Hence, he has continued to remain relevant in Indian cricket's rise by constantly reinventing himself and promoting the game as a supporting actor. After hanging his boots, Dravid stepped into coaching. From 2016-2019, the former Indian captain took over the reins of India A and U-19 as the head coach. Under him, youngsters such as Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, etc. have not only flourished but are now integral to Indian team across formats. His simplicity and keeping-things-simple formula has gelled well with youngsters in finding their feet. Moreover, Dravid has given equal, or more, credit to his support staff and ensured his entire unit moved together in unison. ALSO READ | 'Rahul Dravid once scolded him' - Sehwag shares unheard incident that transformed 'finisher' MS Dhoni After the U-19 and India A coaching stint, Dravid added another new role in his glittering CV; i.e. taking over the National Cricket Academy. As the NCA head, he ensured a regular supply of young and uncapped players to the national setup, as and when required, by taking care of them in the premier academy. Moreover, the NCA also looked after the injured key players for their timely recovery. At present, the 48-year-old Dravid has taken over as India's full-time head coach, till the 2023 ODI World Cup. While many would feel his stature made it easier for him to land at the top job, however, he has rightly won the post by going through the hard yards and proving that his love for Indian cricket remains unchanged. Dravid has truckload of runs under his belt to prove his mettle. However, the former player doesn't deserve to be judged by numbers. He adds value to Indian cricket in many ways and continues to serve in any given manner; showcasing his unflinching loyalty to the country's most-loved sport.

The Wall remains rock solid: Rahul Dravid's loyalty to Indian cricket is applaudable

MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the finest cricketers to have graced the gentlemen's game. Dhoni came into the scene in late 2004 and retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020. During his stint at the international level, Dhoni established himself in varied roles.

Dhoni broke into the scene and became a household name for his hitting prowess. Soon, he transformed himself into a mature finisher, able wicketkeeper, Captain Cool, handy Test batsman, etc. While he donned many roles, it took sometime for him to hone his skills in the many responsibilities he had undertaken.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-will-do-kapil-dev-makes-bold-claim-on-team-indias-head-coach-rahul-dravid-432134">'He will do....' - Kapil Dev makes bold claim on Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid</a>

Dhoni is regarded as one of the greatest finishers of all-time. However, there was a time when he was scolded by Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid for not finishing a game and getting out. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag shared the unheard incident recently.

Sehwag told India TV, "He was given the finisher’s role under Dravid, who once scolded him for getting out after playing a bad shot. I think that incident changed him. So around 2006-07, he transformed and started taking responsibility of finishing matches. He (Dhoni) formed an unbelievable partnership with Yuvraj when we registered that record of 16 successive chases (during Dravid's captaincy era)."

Further, Sehwag also credited Sourav Ganguly for the sacrifice he made to ensure Dhoni flourished as a cricketer. "Those days (2005) we were experimenting with pinch-hitters. Dada (Ganguly) had planned that Dhoni would get 3-4 chances at No. 3. If it works then fine, otherwise they would try someone else. Very few captains do it. He first sacrificed his (opening) spot for me and then he gave his slot to Dhoni. If Dada had not done that, Dhoni might not have become such a big player."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-virat-kohli-or-rohit-sharma-former-pakistan-pacer-md-amir-picks-hardest-batsman-to-bowl-at-432100">Not Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma! Former Pakistan pacer Md. Amir picks 'hardest batsman to bowl at'</a>

Dhoni was seen in the Team India dugout as the mentor during their forgettable T20 World Cup 2021 campaign, in the UAE. He is now gearing up for the IPL 2022 edition, where he will lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after taking them to their fourth title in IPL 14. Meanwhile, Dravid has taken over as India's full-time coach till 2023 ODI World Cup.

MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the finest cricketers to have graced the gentlemen's game. Dhoni came into the scene in late 2004 and retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020.

MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the finest cricketers to have graced the gentlemen's game. Dhoni came into the scene in late 2004 and retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020. During his stint at the international level, Dhoni established himself in varied roles. Dhoni broke into the scene and became a household name for his hitting prowess. Soon, he transformed himself into a mature finisher, able wicketkeeper, Captain Cool, handy Test batsman, etc. While he donned many roles, it took sometime for him to hone his skills in the many responsibilities he had undertaken. ALSO READ | 'He will do....' - Kapil Dev makes bold claim on Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid Dhoni is regarded as one of the greatest finishers of all-time. However, there was a time when he was scolded by Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid for not finishing a game and getting out. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag shared the unheard incident recently. Sehwag told India TV, "He was given the finisher’s role under Dravid, who once scolded him for getting out after playing a bad shot. I think that incident changed him. So around 2006-07, he transformed and started taking responsibility of finishing matches. He (Dhoni) formed an unbelievable partnership with Yuvraj when we registered that record of 16 successive chases (during Dravid's captaincy era)." Further, Sehwag also credited Sourav Ganguly for the sacrifice he made to ensure Dhoni flourished as a cricketer. "Those days (2005) we were experimenting with pinch-hitters. Dada (Ganguly) had planned that Dhoni would get 3-4 chances at No. 3. If it works then fine, otherwise they would try someone else. Very few captains do it. He first sacrificed his (opening) spot for me and then he gave his slot to Dhoni. If Dada had not done that, Dhoni might not have become such a big player." ALSO READ | Not Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma! Former Pakistan pacer Md. Amir picks 'hardest batsman to bowl at' Dhoni was seen in the Team India dugout as the mentor during their forgettable T20 World Cup 2021 campaign, in the UAE. He is now gearing up for the IPL 2022 edition, where he will lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after taking them to their fourth title in IPL 14. Meanwhile, Dravid has taken over as India's full-time coach till 2023 ODI World Cup.

'Rahul Dravid once scolded him' - Sehwag shares unheard incident that transformed 'finisher' MS Dhoni

Rahul Dravid took over as India's head coach from Ravi Shastri after the end of the T20 World Cup. Under Shastri, India enjoyed considerable success across formats and became a daunting force while playing overseas Tests. However, the national side couldn't win an ICC title and, hence, Dravid will like to end India's ICC-title drought during his tenure.

In his first-ever series as India's full-time coach, Dravid guided Rohit Sharma &amp; Co. to a T20I series whitewash of New Zealand at home. The Indian team is now involved in a two-match Test series versus the Black Caps and will like to continue their dominant run under new coach.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-he-doesnt-look-like-an-opener-aakash-chopra-shares-ideal-batting-position-for-shubman-gill-432069">IND vs NZ: 'He doesn't look like an opener' - Aakash Chopra shares ideal batting position for Shubman Gill</a>

Recently, speaking at Dravid's appointment as Team India's head coach, former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev said at the Royal Calcutta Golf Course in Kolkata, "He's a good man, a good cricketer. He will do a better job as a coach than as a cricketer because in cricket nobody has done better than him. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed," He added. "You can't just judge one after his debut, you don't go by one performance. Over a period of time, what Rahul will do, we will come to know. You only think positive."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-is-not-bowling-so-can-we-call-him-all-rounder-kapil-dev-opines-on-team-india-star-hardik-pandya-432094">'He is not bowling so can we call him all-rounder?' - Kapil Dev opines on Team India star Hardik Pandya</a>

Dravid, who amassed 13,288&nbsp;and 10,889 runs in Test cricket and ODIs respectively, has donned several roles in Indian cricket since his international debut in 1996. From being a middle-order batsman, finisher, part-time keeper, vice-captain, captain, U-19 and India A coach, NCA head, The Wall will now look to excel in his new role as the national side's coach and take Indian cricket to greater heights.

Rahul Dravid took over as India's head coach from Ravi Shastri after the end of the T20 World Cup. Under Shastri, India enjoyed considerable success across formats and became a daunting force while playing overseas Tests.

Rahul Dravid took over as India's head coach from Ravi Shastri after the end of the T20 World Cup. Under Shastri, India enjoyed considerable success across formats and became a daunting force while playing overseas Tests. However, the national side couldn't win an ICC title and, hence, Dravid will like to end India's ICC-title drought during his tenure. In his first-ever series as India's full-time coach, Dravid guided Rohit Sharma & Co. to a T20I series whitewash of New Zealand at home. The Indian team is now involved in a two-match Test series versus the Black Caps and will like to continue their dominant run under new coach. ALSO READ | IND vs NZ: 'He doesn't look like an opener' - Aakash Chopra shares ideal batting position for Shubman Gill Recently, speaking at Dravid's appointment as Team India's head coach, former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev said at the Royal Calcutta Golf Course in Kolkata, "He's a good man, a good cricketer. He will do a better job as a coach than as a cricketer because in cricket nobody has done better than him. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed," He added. "You can't just judge one after his debut, you don't go by one performance. Over a period of time, what Rahul will do, we will come to know. You only think positive." ALSO READ | 'He is not bowling so can we call him all-rounder?' - Kapil Dev opines on Team India star Hardik Pandya Dravid, who amassed 13,288 and 10,889 runs in Test cricket and ODIs respectively, has donned several roles in Indian cricket since his international debut in 1996. From being a middle-order batsman, finisher, part-time keeper, vice-captain, captain, U-19 and India A coach, NCA head, The Wall will now look to excel in his new role as the national side's coach and take Indian cricket to greater heights.

'He will do....' - Kapil Dev makes bold claim on Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid

After a gruelling T20 season, with IPL 2021's final leg followed by T20 World Cup in the UAE, Test cricket has now returned for the cricket lovers worldwide. While Sri Lanka-West Indies are involved in a Test series in the island nation, Team India have also kicked off their Test season with the first Test versus New Zealand underway in Kanpur on Thursday (November 25).

As soon as the Indian team started their two-match Test series opener versus the Kane Williamson-led Black Caps, former Indian opener-turned-meme specialist Wasim Jaffer won the internet with an epic post.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/viral-team-india-coach-rahul-dravid-resorts-to-off-spin-in-nets-ahead-of-1st-test-vs-nz-watch-431663">VIRAL: Team India coach Rahul Dravid resorts to off-spin in nets ahead of 1st Test vs NZ - WATCH</a>

Jaffer captioned the post, "Watching Test cricket after few months of T20 cricket feels the same as eating maa ke haath ka khana (eating home-cooked food by mother) after few months away from home."

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dont-think-axar-and-jadeja-are-in-the-same-league-says-former-pakistan-cricketer-431755">'Don't think Axar and Jadeja are in the same league,' says former Pakistan cricketer</a>

Test cricket has returned after a few months' halt. The IPL 14's final leg, in the UAE, was followed by the seventh edition of the T20 WC, from mid-September to November. Now, the longest format has come back into the fore with plenty of Test matches lined-up in the coming weeks. While India-New Zealand are involved in a Test series in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also engaged in a two-match Test series versus West Indies and Pakistan, respectively, in their own backyards. On the other hand, the Ashes 2021 is set to commence in Australia from December 8.

Talking about the India-NZ first Test, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bat first. At lunch, India are well-placed at 82&nbsp;for 1 with opener Shubman Gill unbeaten on 52. The hosts will look to post a big score and challenge the Kiwi line-up in Green Park, Kanpur.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After a gruelling T20 season, with IPL 2021's final leg followed by T20 World Cup in the UAE, Test cricket has now returned for the cricket lovers worldwide. While Sri Lanka-West Indies are involved in a Test series in the island nation, Team India have also kicked off their Test season with the first Test versus New Zealand underway in Kanpur on Thursday (November 25).

After a gruelling T20 season, with IPL 2021's final leg followed by T20 World Cup in the UAE, Test cricket has now returned for the cricket lovers worldwide. While Sri Lanka-West Indies are involved in a Test series in the island nation, Team India have also kicked off their Test season with the first Test versus New Zealand underway in Kanpur on Thursday (November 25). As soon as the Indian team started their two-match Test series opener versus the Kane Williamson-led Black Caps, former Indian opener-turned-meme specialist Wasim Jaffer won the internet with an epic post. ALSO READ | VIRAL: Team India coach Rahul Dravid resorts to off-spin in nets ahead of 1st Test vs NZ - WATCH Jaffer captioned the post, "Watching Test cricket after few months of T20 cricket feels the same as eating maa ke haath ka khana (eating home-cooked food by mother) after few months away from home." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wasim Jaffer (@wasimjaffer14) × ALSO READ | 'Don't think Axar and Jadeja are in the same league,' says former Pakistan cricketer Test cricket has returned after a few months' halt. The IPL 14's final leg, in the UAE, was followed by the seventh edition of the T20 WC, from mid-September to November. Now, the longest format has come back into the fore with plenty of Test matches lined-up in the coming weeks. While India-New Zealand are involved in a Test series in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also engaged in a two-match Test series versus West Indies and Pakistan, respectively, in their own backyards. On the other hand, the Ashes 2021 is set to commence in Australia from December 8. Talking about the India-NZ first Test, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bat first. At lunch, India are well-placed at 82 for 1 with opener Shubman Gill unbeaten on 52. The hosts will look to post a big score and challenge the Kiwi line-up in Green Park, Kanpur.

Ind vs NZ: Wasim Jaffer wins the internet with epic post as Test cricket returns after IPL 2021, T20 WC

India and New Zealand locked horns with each other in the two-match Test series opener on Thursday morning (November 25) at the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. Electing to bat first, the Ajinkya Rahane-led hosts went to the lunch break at 82/1, riding on opener Shubman Gill's 52, and ended the day's play at a comfortable position, i.e. being 258-4 courtesy debutant Shreyas Iyer (75 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja's 50*.

With many regulars such as captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul (out due to injury) being out of action, the onus was on the youngsters -- such as Gill, Iyer, Mohammed Siraj -- to grab their opportunities. Day One of the opening Test was all about Iyer and Gill's commitment to bat for a long period and make a mark. While Siraj wasn't in the playing XI, Gill failed to stay for long but slammed an impressive fifty whereas Iyer returned to the pavillion being unbeaten on 75.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-gears-up-for-2nd-test-vs-nz-in-mumbai-trains-with-rcb-coach-sanjay-bangar-431845">Virat Kohli gears up for 2nd Test vs NZ in Mumbai, trains with RCB coach Sanjay Bangar</a>

The former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lavished praise on Indian youngster Gill and feels he will be a vital cog for India while touring abroad. During the lunch break, he told on Star Sports, "I really hope and feel that this guy will go on to have a really good career, especially in Test cricket because I think he can be very vital especially if we keep touring abroad. He has got outstanding backfoot game with his initial movement."

"He is a young guy and he is very talented when it comes to batting. He is trying to figure how to actually correct whatever little technical flaw he has, especially against the fuller delivery. He is coming down the pitch against the fast bowlers and I'm really impressed with the way he is playing against the spinners. He is playing the ball late," added Pathan.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-shreyas-iyer-ravindra-jadejas-113-run-stand-takes-hosts-to-2584-at-stumps-on-day-1-431879">IND vs NZ, 1st Test: Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja's 113-run stand takes hosts to 258/4 at stumps on Day 1</a>

Apart from Gill and Iyer, all-rounder Jadeja also made a statement by registering his 17th half-century in whites and taking India out of troubled waters, along with Iyer, after coming out to bat with hosts reeling at 145-4 in the second session.&nbsp;

The Kohli-less Indian team will aim to cross the 400-run mark and challenge the Kane Williamson-led Black Caps in the first Test.

India and New Zealand locked horns with each other in the two-match Test series opener on Thursday morning (November 25) at the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. Electing to bat first, the Ajinkya Rahane-led hosts went to the lunch break at 82/1, riding on opener Shubman Gill's 52, and ended the day's play at a comfortable position, i.

India and New Zealand locked horns with each other in the two-match Test series opener on Thursday morning (November 25) at the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. Electing to bat first, the Ajinkya Rahane-led hosts went to the lunch break at 82/1, riding on opener Shubman Gill's 52, and ended the day's play at a comfortable position, i.e. being 258-4 courtesy debutant Shreyas Iyer (75 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja's 50*. With many regulars such as captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul (out due to injury) being out of action, the onus was on the youngsters -- such as Gill, Iyer, Mohammed Siraj -- to grab their opportunities. Day One of the opening Test was all about Iyer and Gill's commitment to bat for a long period and make a mark. While Siraj wasn't in the playing XI, Gill failed to stay for long but slammed an impressive fifty whereas Iyer returned to the pavillion being unbeaten on 75. ALSO READ | Virat Kohli gears up for 2nd Test vs NZ in Mumbai, trains with RCB coach Sanjay Bangar The former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lavished praise on Indian youngster Gill and feels he will be a vital cog for India while touring abroad. During the lunch break, he told on Star Sports, "I really hope and feel that this guy will go on to have a really good career, especially in Test cricket because I think he can be very vital especially if we keep touring abroad. He has got outstanding backfoot game with his initial movement." "He is a young guy and he is very talented when it comes to batting. He is trying to figure how to actually correct whatever little technical flaw he has, especially against the fuller delivery. He is coming down the pitch against the fast bowlers and I'm really impressed with the way he is playing against the spinners. He is playing the ball late," added Pathan. ALSO READ | IND vs NZ, 1st Test: Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja's 113-run stand takes hosts to 258/4 at stumps on Day 1 Apart from Gill and Iyer, all-rounder Jadeja also made a statement by registering his 17th half-century in whites and taking India out of troubled waters, along with Iyer, after coming out to bat with hosts reeling at 145-4 in the second session. The Kohli-less Indian team will aim to cross the 400-run mark and challenge the Kane Williamson-led Black Caps in the first Test.

Gill, Iyer or Siraj? Irfan Pathan names 'vital' cog for Team India while playing overseas Tests

Virat Kohli had a tough time in IPL 2021 and the T20 World Cup. Leading RCB and India's T20I side&nbsp;for the final time, Kohli couldn't inspire both his franchise and national side to glory in the IPL 14's final leg and the seventh edition of the T20 WC, respectively, in the UAE.

Thus, he was rested for the home T20Is between India and New Zealand. The 33-year-old Kohli is also not part of India's squad for the two-match Test series opener versus the Black Caps but will return for the second and final Test, to be held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Ahead of the series finale, Kohli has started gearing up for the Mumbai Test and was seen sweating it out at the nets with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-very-well-deserved-ponting-shares-heartfelt-post-for-debutant-shreyas-iyer-431831">Ind vs NZ, 1st Test: 'Very well deserved' - Ponting shares heartfelt post for debutant Shreyas Iyer</a>

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Virat Kohli with Sanjay Bangar this morning <a href="https://t.co/qWt9oWuYAK">pic.twitter.com/qWt9oWuYAK</a>
— Gaurav🕊️ (@Kohli4ever) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kohli4ever/status/1463738111075110915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-ashwin-on-verge-of-surpassing-harbhajan-in-elite-list-during-series-opener-in-kanpur-431781">Ind vs NZ, 1st Test: Ashwin on verge of surpassing Harbhajan in elite list during series opener in Kanpur</a>

In Kohli's absence, Ajinkya Rahane is leading the side in the series opener at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. India have opted to bat first and are well-placed courtesy half-centuries from debutant Shreyas Iyer and opener Shubman Gill on Day One of the Kanpur Test. Rahane &amp; Co. will look to post anything over 400 and challenge the visitors.

The second Test will commence on December 3 in Mumbai.

Virat Kohli had a tough time in IPL 2021 and the T20 World Cup. Leading RCB and India's T20I side for the final time, Kohli couldn't inspire both his franchise and national side to glory in the IPL 14's final leg and the seventh edition of the T20 WC, respectively, in the UAE.

Virat Kohli had a tough time in IPL 2021 and the T20 World Cup. Leading RCB and India's T20I side for the final time, Kohli couldn't inspire both his franchise and national side to glory in the IPL 14's final leg and the seventh edition of the T20 WC, respectively, in the UAE. Thus, he was rested for the home T20Is between India and New Zealand. The 33-year-old Kohli is also not part of India's squad for the two-match Test series opener versus the Black Caps but will return for the second and final Test, to be held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Ahead of the series finale, Kohli has started gearing up for the Mumbai Test and was seen sweating it out at the nets with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach. ALSO READ | Ind vs NZ, 1st Test: 'Very well deserved' - Ponting shares heartfelt post for debutant Shreyas Iyer Virat Kohli with Sanjay Bangar this morning pic.twitter.com/qWt9oWuYAK — Gaurav🕊️ (@Kohli4ever) November 25, 2021 × ALSO READ | Ind vs NZ, 1st Test: Ashwin on verge of surpassing Harbhajan in elite list during series opener in Kanpur In Kohli's absence, Ajinkya Rahane is leading the side in the series opener at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. India have opted to bat first and are well-placed courtesy half-centuries from debutant Shreyas Iyer and opener Shubman Gill on Day One of the Kanpur Test. Rahane & Co. will look to post anything over 400 and challenge the visitors. The second Test will commence on December 3 in Mumbai.

Virat Kohli gears up for 2nd Test vs NZ in Mumbai, trains with RCB coach Sanjay Bangar

Shreyas Iyer became India's 303rd Test cricketer on Thursday morning (November 25) as he received the elusive cap from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar ahead of the commencement of the first Test between India and New Zealand.&nbsp;

Iyer was a big name in domestic circuit before he made his India debut in the limited-overs format in 2017. While Iyer has been in the scheme of things for Team India in the shorter formats following the 2019 ODI World Cup, the right-hander had to wait for a long period to get a look-in the Test line-up. With many regulars such as captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, etc. being rested for the New Zealand Test series opener, Iyer got a chance to make his debut as soon as KL Rahul got ruled out due to injury on Tuesday (November 23).

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-wasim-jaffer-wins-the-internet-with-epic-post-as-test-cricket-returns-after-ipl-2021-t20-wc-431773">Ind vs NZ: Wasim Jaffer wins the internet with epic post as Test cricket returns after IPL 2021, T20 WC</a>

With Iyer getting his Test cap, his Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting shared a heartfelt post for the Indian middle-order batsman on Twitter. He wrote, "Having seen all the work you've put in over the last few years, very well deserved and only the beginning for you mate. Proud of you&nbsp; 
@ShreyasIyer15"

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Having seen all the work you've put in over the last few years, very well deserved and only the beginning for you mate. Proud of you <a href="https://twitter.com/ShreyasIyer15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShreyasIyer15</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Tnb3xZNXhX">https://t.co/Tnb3xZNXhX</a>
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) <a href="https://twitter.com/RickyPonting/status/1463721982483001354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-ashwin-on-verge-of-surpassing-harbhajan-in-elite-list-during-series-opener-in-kanpur-431781">Ind vs NZ, 1st Test: Ashwin on verge of surpassing Harbhajan in elite list during series opener in Kanpur</a>

Winning the toss, Ajinkya Rahane-led India decided to bat first in Green Park, Kanpur. Riding on Shubman Gill's 52, India started off nicely but lost four wickets heading into the tea break. Debutant Iyer has looked good and will aim to register a daddy hundred on his debut innings in the purest format.

With India set to see the return of their regular batters in the second and final Test, Iyer will hope to make heads turn and retain his spot for the series decider, to be held in Mumbai from December 3.

Shreyas Iyer became India's 303rd Test cricketer on Thursday morning (November 25) as he received the elusive cap from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar ahead of the commencement of the first Test between India and New Zealand.

Shreyas Iyer became India's 303rd Test cricketer on Thursday morning (November 25) as he received the elusive cap from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar ahead of the commencement of the first Test between India and New Zealand. Iyer was a big name in domestic circuit before he made his India debut in the limited-overs format in 2017. While Iyer has been in the scheme of things for Team India in the shorter formats following the 2019 ODI World Cup, the right-hander had to wait for a long period to get a look-in the Test line-up. With many regulars such as captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, etc. being rested for the New Zealand Test series opener, Iyer got a chance to make his debut as soon as KL Rahul got ruled out due to injury on Tuesday (November 23). ALSO READ | Ind vs NZ: Wasim Jaffer wins the internet with epic post as Test cricket returns after IPL 2021, T20 WC With Iyer getting his Test cap, his Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting shared a heartfelt post for the Indian middle-order batsman on Twitter. He wrote, "Having seen all the work you've put in over the last few years, very well deserved and only the beginning for you mate. Proud of you @ShreyasIyer15" Having seen all the work you've put in over the last few years, very well deserved and only the beginning for you mate. Proud of you @ShreyasIyer15. https://t.co/Tnb3xZNXhX — Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) November 25, 2021 × ALSO READ | Ind vs NZ, 1st Test: Ashwin on verge of surpassing Harbhajan in elite list during series opener in Kanpur Winning the toss, Ajinkya Rahane-led India decided to bat first in Green Park, Kanpur. Riding on Shubman Gill's 52, India started off nicely but lost four wickets heading into the tea break. Debutant Iyer has looked good and will aim to register a daddy hundred on his debut innings in the purest format. With India set to see the return of their regular batters in the second and final Test, Iyer will hope to make heads turn and retain his spot for the series decider, to be held in Mumbai from December 3.

Ind vs NZ, 1st Test: 'Very well deserved' - Ponting shares heartfelt post for debutant Shreyas Iyer

New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson feels that playing Test cricket in India will be a different challenge, considering he is touring the country for the first time. He added that he will seek ideas from senior pacers Neil Wagner and Tim Southee on how to bowl in Indian conditions. 
 
"I haven`t played a whole lot of cricket over here. I had the first half of the IPL which was good, but this will be different again. I`ve got Wags (Wagner) and Timmy (Southee) here, so that`ll be good to bounce ideas of them, to get their expertise on how to bowl here. It`s certainly going to be a different challenge to what we get back home but really looking forward to it," Jamieson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-pak-captain-praises-rahul-dravid-for-his-was-never-going-to-be-easy-on-nz-remark-post-t20i-series-431451">Former Pak captain praises Rahul Dravid for his 'was never going to be easy on NZ' remark post T20I series</a>

Jamieson played an instrumental role in New Zealand winning the last three Tests against India, including the World Test Championship final in Southampton in June this year. But with Southee and Wagner in the squad, he might not be a part of the playing eleven in the first Test at Green Park Stadium here on Thursday. 
 
The all-rounder, who made a blazing start to Test cricket with 46 wickets in just eight appearances at an average of 14.17, including five five-wicket hauls, is aware that playing Test cricket in India will pose a hard challenge as New Zealand begins its defence of WTC title. 
 
"It certainly feels a long time ago. No better way to start than the challenge of India in India." At the same time, he is clear about sticking to his strengths while adapting to what the conditions provide. "First and foremost I think for me it`s not trying to change my game too much -- still try and stick to my strengths but try and adapt to what the conditions give.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rahul-dravids-experience-will-help-india-recover-after-wtc-final-loss-cheteshwar-pujara-431404">Rahul Dravid's experience will help India recover after WTC final loss: Cheteshwar Pujara</a>

"If I do play and get the new ball, it`s trying to swing that and as the conditions change and the roles change throughout the game, try to focus on that." 
 
The 26-year-old added that not playing a single match in the T20 World Cup helped him focus on himself. "It was good to be part of and gave me a chance to step back, with the volume of cricket I`d been playing, a chance to work on my game and get back in the gym with Chris (Donaldson, the strength and conditioning coach)."

New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson feels that playing Test cricket in India will be a different challenge, considering he is touring the country for the first time.

New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson feels that playing Test cricket in India will be a different challenge, considering he is touring the country for the first time. He added that he will seek ideas from senior pacers Neil Wagner and Tim Southee on how to bowl in Indian conditions. "I haven`t played a whole lot of cricket over here. I had the first half of the IPL which was good, but this will be different again. I`ve got Wags (Wagner) and Timmy (Southee) here, so that`ll be good to bounce ideas of them, to get their expertise on how to bowl here. It`s certainly going to be a different challenge to what we get back home but really looking forward to it," Jamieson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. ALSO READ | Former Pak captain praises Rahul Dravid for his 'was never going to be easy on NZ' remark post T20I series Jamieson played an instrumental role in New Zealand winning the last three Tests against India, including the World Test Championship final in Southampton in June this year. But with Southee and Wagner in the squad, he might not be a part of the playing eleven in the first Test at Green Park Stadium here on Thursday. The all-rounder, who made a blazing start to Test cricket with 46 wickets in just eight appearances at an average of 14.17, including five five-wicket hauls, is aware that playing Test cricket in India will pose a hard challenge as New Zealand begins its defence of WTC title. "It certainly feels a long time ago. No better way to start than the challenge of India in India." At the same time, he is clear about sticking to his strengths while adapting to what the conditions provide. "First and foremost I think for me it`s not trying to change my game too much -- still try and stick to my strengths but try and adapt to what the conditions give. ALSO READ | Rahul Dravid's experience will help India recover after WTC final loss: Cheteshwar Pujara "If I do play and get the new ball, it`s trying to swing that and as the conditions change and the roles change throughout the game, try to focus on that." The 26-year-old added that not playing a single match in the T20 World Cup helped him focus on himself. "It was good to be part of and gave me a chance to step back, with the volume of cricket I`d been playing, a chance to work on my game and get back in the gym with Chris (Donaldson, the strength and conditioning coach)."

IND v NZ, 1st Test: Going to be different challenge to what we get back home, says Kyle Jamieson

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