IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli's Superstar Status Shined Less Than Five Years Ago... Will He Reignite in Pune?

Exactly five years ago, Indian star cricketer Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 254 runs (from 336 balls: 33 fours, 2 sixes) at the Pune venue in this month. This is still his highest individual score in Tests. Kohli washed the pacers and spinners. Then Team India defeated the Safari team by an innings difference.

Now India needs such a victory once again. New Zealand gave us a shock in the first match when we thought that we were unbeaten at home. Team India suffered a defeat in Bangalore. Trailing 0-1 in the three-Test series. The second match will start from Thursday. In this order, the final team became tense. Who will be taken? What will the pitch be like? Let's have a look at the topics..

Every match must be won..

Every match is crucial for Team India to reach the final for the third time in the World Test Championship 2023-25 ​​season. Now she will play only two Tests against Kiwis and five Tests against Australia. If India wins at least 4 matches in this season, there is a possibility that India will be safe in the top-2. Even if there is any difference in this, it will be difficult to reach the final. Rain in Bengaluru favors pace. Now there is a lot of interest on the Pune pitch. There is an argument that India will use Astrom spin. According to cricket analysts, India has added Washington Sundar to its squad. However, India's lack of consistency in batting has become a problem for India, which does not have much trouble in terms of bowling.

That should not happen..

Openers Rohit and Yashaswi Jaiswal are starting the innings aggressively. But, the failure to make a huge impact is making the fans upset. At least one of these two should cross the score board till one hundred. Then the rest of the batsmen face the opponent's bowling in a flurry. In the first Test, five batsmen were ducked out after being bowled out for 46 runs. With this, Virat Kohli, who has a good record in Pune, should regain his form. The fans' wish is to see a century from Virat on the pitch given to him. After the birth of Sarfaraz's son, there were doubts about his playing. KL Rahul should take advantage of the chance that comes in his absence. This should be considered as the last chance. Either way, it is certain that he will lose his place in the team. Coach Gambhir has already announced that Rishabh Pant has recovered from his injury. Cricket sources said that Gill is also 100 percent fit.

Spin is for all-rounders?

According to cricket sources, India is in a strategy to get results by turning the Pune pitch in favor of spin. Having four spin all-rounders in this regard will be a plus point. Leaving aside specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin seem to have options to bat up to number nine. It will not be surprising if KL is kept aside if necessary. Siraj seems certain to be sidelined as pacers. Akashdeep will replace him. He starts the pace attack with Bumrah.

After nearly 36 years, New Zealand's Test victory in India is on Josh. Now looking at the series itself. To prevent that from happening, the match that Team India has to win will start from Thursday.

Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashaswi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Akshar Patel/Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin, Bumrah, Siraj/Akashdeep