India vs New Zealand 1st Test Prediction

If NZ Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 300

Opening the batting will be Martin Guptill and Tom Latham who were both good against Zimbabwe but had a rough tour of South Africa. Since the opening pair looks slightly vulnerable, New Zealand will be looking at their most reliable batsmen - Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor - to spend a long time at the crease. Both are in terrific form at the moment and chances are that any one of these two could top-score for New Zealand in this match. Henry Nicholls scored 112 runs in the last test against South Africa and he will be the key in the middle order. Williamson, Taylor and Nicholls will need to perform for New Zealand to reach the predicted score.

At home, India rely mainly on their spinners for picking up wickets and once again, it will be up to Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja to do most of the wicket-taking. Among the spin-trio, the Kiwi batsmen will look to bat more carefully against Ashwin who took the most wickets against them in the 2012 test series. Mohammed Shami can be a bigger threat once the ball gets old and starts reversing. If New Zealand lose Williamson and Taylor cheaply, India will have a good opportunity of restricting them to a mediocre score.

IND vs NZ Head-to-Head in Tests

A total of 54 tests have been played between the two teams, of which 18 have been won by India and 10 by New Zealand. The remaining 26 matches have all resulted in a draw.

New Zealand have played two test matches against India at the Green Park. The one back in 1976 ended in a draw while the most recent match in 1999 was won by the hosts by eight wickets.

Our Prediction

Leaving aside the two wins over Zimbabwe, New Zealand have not won a test match this year against the more reputed sides. They lost both the tests against Australia in a home series earlier this year and are coming from a massive 204-run defeat at the hands of South Africa. Add to this the fact that New Zealand have not won a test match in India in almost 28 years, one would not keep much expectations from them.

India are playing at home and they seem invincible in their own backyard. They have not been beaten in the last 11 tests on their turf and have 7 wins and 3 draws in their previous 10 matches in this format. Their record at this ground is also worth noting as they have lost just 3 out of the 21 tests and their last defeat dates back to 1983 against the West Indies.

Although a New Zealand victory seems far from likely, they still have a good chance of enforcing a draw. The wicket at the Green Park is known for favoring the batsmen more, so if the Kiwis are able to stick in with the bat, we could have a stalemate on our hands.

India were beaten by New Zealand the last time these two sides met in a test match that produced a result. But that happened on the latter's home soil, and here in sub-continent conditions, we feel that India are strong favorites to win this first test.