Test for new-look India

The Big Picture

This is the last time that the two teams get an opportunity to play one-dayers in Indian conditions before the World Cup. In that regard, this is an important series for them to get their combinations right ahead of the big tournament.

India's new captain, Gautam Gambhir, and Suresh Raina will want some runs for themselves but it's the comeback of Yusuf Pathan that will be closely monitored. He seemed the answer to India's search for a big-hitting allrounder in the lower order in ODIs but he never quite managed to replicate his IPL success on a bigger stage. And later, even in the IPL, he showed a problem against the short-pitched deliveries. He was released from the ODI squad and has now returned after scoring some big runs in the domestic circuit. All eyes would be on him as he could be a tremendous asset considering the World Cup is in the subcontinent. But does he have the game to do it? This New Zealand series will let us know. It will be also an important series for R Ashwin, the offspinner.

Usually, teams sport a settled look in Tests and play a youthful ODI team. New Zealand does it reverse. Right from the John Bracewell-era they have been a better ODI outfit and have a settled squad. Six of the seven replacements, that include the likes of Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, and Kyle Mills, are in their 30s. Jamie How, 29, who had a pretty decent outing in the Champions League held in South Africa in September, makes a comeback after nearly two years. New Zealand started the Test series short of confidence but ended it with enhanced reputations.

Form guide

(most recent first)

India: WLWLW
New Zealand: LLLLL

Watch out for...

Ross Taylor had a pretty average Test series. He got starts but rarely carried on. He has the game to turn it around quickly and he will be the key player in the middle-order in the absence of Jesse Ryder.

Ashwin has impressed many with his performances under pressure situations in the IPLs. It was a puzzle why his IPL captain MS Dhoni hasn't given him more breaks in the national team. Ashwin's time seems to have come now. Can he capitalise? He has the carom-ball and several other variations, but does he have the discipline over his stock ball?

Pitch and conditions

This is will the last international game to be played at this venue. The curator Sunil Barua copped a lot of criticism last time after preparing a dicey pitch where Australia dismissed India for 170. "This is the best wicket I've ever made. It will suit batting," Barua said this week. "All I can say is it will be a lively and sporting wicket. There will be a good total if a team bats the full quota of overs." Barua said that he had given a top-dressing of the pitch with special clay collected from outside to ensure less wear and tear. Dew is likely to play a role as we have an 8.30 am start.

Teams

James Franklin has replaced Jesse Ryder and Ashish Nehra, who cleared a fitness test, was brought in for Praveen Kumar, who is suffering from fever.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Jamie How, 2 Brendon McCullum, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Scott Styris, 6 Kane Williamson, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 James Franklin/Nathan McCullum, 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Daryl Tuffey/Andy McKay

India (probable): 1 M Vijay, 2 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 Yusuf Pathan 7 Saurabh Tiwary, 8 Wriddiman Saha (wk), 9 R Ashwin, 10 Vinay Kumar, 11 Ashish Nehra.