With a thrilling climax to the opening clash, the 2nd Test between India and New Zealand is set to get underway on Friday, the 3rd of December. The 1st Test swung both ways until the last session of the final day when the home-side racked up a load of wickets with the old ball on a wearying pitch. But the visitors eked out a valiant draw as the final pair held on before poor light stopped with only a handful of overs remaining in the game.
Cricket Betting Tips: India
888Sport Cricket Betting Odds: 1.44
Despite failing to snatch the victory, India gave a fine all-round performance with a new-look makeshift squad. Virat Kohli will return to lead the team after being rested for the opening game but there is a conundrum for new coach Rahul Dravid as to which batsmen will vacate his spot for the skipper.
KL Rahul is not part of the squad so Mayank Agarwal and Shubhman Gill will continue as the opening pair. Cheteshwar Pujara did not get many runs in the last match but he is fixed in the no.3 role therefore Ajinkya Rahane may have to give up his spot as Shreyas Iyer notched a hundred and a fifty on his Test debut. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha also got a priceless half-century in the 2nd innings of the 1st Test.
India will definitely stick with the same bowling-combination of two seamers and 3 spinners but might consider changing the fast-bowling personnel. Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav toiled long and hard for just a couple of dismissals between the pair so Mohammed Siraj might get the chance in the next game. The excellent spin-bowling trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be the crucial factor for the home-team once again.
Cricket Betting Tips: New Zealand
888Sport Cricket Betting Odds: 5.40
Giving stiff competition throughout the contest, New Zealand showed great tenacity and determination when it all suddenly started to come apart. The aptitude of its batsmen against top-quality spin-bowling and the grit of the fast bowlers under challenging conditions will give the team a huge boost.
The opening-pair of Tom Latham and Will Young produced half-centuries in the 1st Test with the latter also delivering another one in the 2nd innings. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor did not make much impact but the vast experience of the two veterans always make them a big threat. However, Henry Nicholls and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell will need to deliver with the bat having failed to score many in the previous match.
After a fairly commendable performance, New Zealand will retain the same bowling-unit for the 2nd Test with two seamers and three spin-bowlers. Tim Southee gave a master-class in fast-bowling on extremely difficult conditions with 8 wickets while Kyle Jamieson also bagged 6 wickets in the game. Ajaz Patel was the only spinner to find some success with William Sommerville and newcomer Rachin Ravindra not troubling the opposition a great deal.
2nd Test Match Betting Tips
Highest Opening Partnership (1st Inns) Betting Tip – New Zealand
Tom Latham and Will Young set up a 150-run opening-partnership for New Zealand in the last match. Meanwhile, the Kiwi seamers have been much more effective with the new-ball than their Indian counterparts.
Top India Bowler (1st Inns) Betting Tip – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin was the most consistent performer of the Indian bowling-unit with 3 dismissals in each innings. He enjoys a terrific record against the Kiwis with his tally of 58 wickets from just 8 Test matches.
Top India Batsman (1st Inns) Betting Tip – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli should make a big impact after getting a much-needed rest for the past couple of weeks. Kohli has 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries against the Kiwis including a double-hundred in 5 matches at home.
Extra Betting Tips
Most Sixes in Match Betting Tip – Tie at 5.50
Player of the Match Betting Tip – Ravichandran Ashwin
Prediction
New Zealand gave a stout performance and remained in contention for much of the 1st Test yet found itself scrambling for a draw when the opposition spinners successfully exploited a deteriorating pitch. India will have a stronger team for the next game and should produce an improved display to win the series after receiving a firm challenge in the previous game.
India at 1.44
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