Twelve years of waiting, a campaign built on resilience, and one final hurdle against a team that has so often been India’s Achilles' heel—the New Zealand challenge. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Rohit Sharma’s men step onto the field at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, seeking to reclaim the ICC Champions Trophy and rewrite history.
Already in Champions Trophy SF, India, NZ face off in final Group stage contest
New Zealand, meanwhile, regained the fourth spot they lost to South Africa after the Proteas whitewashed Bangladesh earlier this week.
Continuing from where he left in the first innings, Jadeja, who took a fifer on day 1, once again tormented the Kiwi batters on a crumbling surface which according to his long-time spin twin Ashwin was slower than expected.
New Zealand have taken a “cautious approach” with Kane Williamson by ruling out the star batter from the side’s third and final Test against India in Mumbai, starting November 1.
“It is obviously a special feeling. Very proud to be up here. It is a team effort. This game was a clear example of everyone stepping up at the right times. Very special,” a proud Latham said.
Tom Blundell (30 not out) and Glenn Phillips (9 not out) returned unscathed with the BlackCaps building on to their 103-run first innings lead, added 198 runs for the loss of five wickets in their second essay at the end of the second day’s play.
While Sundar replaced left-arm leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, India made two more changes to the side that had lost the opening Test, with Mohammed Siraj and KL Rahul making way for Akash Deep and Shubman Gill.
KL Rahul’s forgettable outing in the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru won’t threaten his place in the side, at least for the second Test in Pune, as head coach Gautam Gambhir firmly backed the Karnataka right-hander on the eve of the must-win match.
Shaken by an unexpected loss on home turf in the series opener in Bengaluru, a star-studded India will be looking to press the reset button and level the series when they take on a confident New Zealand, eyeing a shot at history in the second Test, starting here Thursday.
