What
The second Test of the three match series between India and New Zealand
When
November 12-16, 2010. The game begins at 9.30 am, IST.
Where
Rajeev Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
About the teams
There is no doubt that India are the best Test playing nation in the world currently, but problems remain aplenty for the home side. Gautam Gambhir has had a horrid run in 2010, while Rahul Dravid has looked patchy at times. Suresh Raina is yet to put in consistent performances batting at No. 6, all of which puts extra responsibility on Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni. The bowlers too struggled to dismiss New Zealand and it would take a much better bowling performance from both Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh if India is to take 20 wickets in this Test.
Even New Zealand’s most ardent supporters wouldn’t have imagined such an inspiring performance from the visiting side in the first Test. Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Kane Williamson were able to weather the challenge posed by the Indian bowling and only if Tim McIntosh and Brian Watling can put in more improved performances with the bat at the top of the order, the Indians might just feel the pressure. The bowling, though, remains the bigger worry, irrespective of Chris Martin’s incisive spell (5-15) on Day 4 of the Ahmedabad Test. With injuries to Hamish Bennett and Jesse Ryder, Daniel Vettori and Martin will have to shoulder the onus of dismissing India twice in the match.
The Venue
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, otherwise a venue for ODIs and T20 matches, shall host its first ever Test as a result of this match. This match shall also mark the return of Test cricket to Hyderabad after a gap of 22 long years, with the last Test being played over here in 1988 also involving a touring New Zealand side.
The new venue in Hyderabad had served as the home venue for the IPL team - Deccan Chargers - in the first edition of the IPL. It has also hosted 3 ODIs – one against South Africa in 2005 and two against Australia in 2007 and 2009. Sachin Tendulkar’s breathtaking knock of 175 in that most recent ODI against Australia on November 5, 2009, which saw India lose by an agonizing three run margin while chasing a target of 351, has, arguably, been the best cricketing performance at this venue.
