Many cricketing pundits might have favoured New Zealand quicks over the Indian pacers taking in mind the latter’s performance in the ODIs but the Test series is a different ball game.
Many cricketing pundits might have favoured New Zealand quicks over the Indian pacers taking in mind the latter’s performance in the ODIs but the Test series is a different ball game. The 5-day format might give skipper MS Dhoni a chance for retribution after the ODI debacle and his pacers have to do the job if the visitors are to clinch the series. Here are the men who should stand up and take notice:
Zaheer Khan
Team India will heavily rely on their veteran pacer, Zaheer Khan to deliver at crucial times. They might have missed his experience in the ODIs but can cover up the loss time with a breakthrough performance and hand India the series.
Mohammad Shami
The 23-year old is currently India’s ‘in-form’ bowler off late. He can swing the ball both ways and with the New Zealand conditions favouring the pacers, Shami can rectify the mistakes of the ODIs and start afresh in the Test matches.
Ishwar Pandey
The MP-born bowler strengthened his chance of being the playing eleven when he picked up 3 wickets in the warm-up game against New Zealand XI. With the pace attack in for some firing, MS Dhoni might look upto Pandey as a breath of fresh air and who knows, could be India’s ‘greatest find’ on Kiwi shores.
Ravindra Jadeja
Indian spinners have failed to deliver overseas and that includes the New Zealand series. Ravindra Jadeja might not have played Tests overseas but his all-round ability might just favour him over Ravichandran Ashwin in the 1st Test.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Another Indian pacer who is lacking that ‘extra’ bit to deliver at crucial intervals is pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The Test matches presents a different ball game for Bhuvneshwar who has the tendency to swing the ball and when on song, no batsman can withstand his swinging onslaught.
