As India embarks on a three-Test series against New Zealand, the spotlight falls on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the young prodigies tasked with carrying the torch of Indian cricket. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of their careers, these two rising stars must prove their mettle and demonstrate their ability to lead the team into the future.
Jaiswal and Gill have shown immense promise in recent times. Gill has amassed three centuries and two fifties in his last 10 Test innings, while Jaiswal boasts a 214 and five fifties in his last eight outings. However, they face challenges that they must overcome to establish themselves as reliable pillars of the Indian batting lineup.
Jaiswal has a tendency to play expansive shots against pace bowlers, leading to his dismissal on several occasions. Gill, too, has struggled against incoming deliveries from pacers. These weaknesses will be tested against New Zealand’s capable pace attack, featuring Matt Henry, William O’Rourke, and Tim Southee.
While Kohli and Rohit remain integral to the team, their recent form has been underwhelming. Kohli has not scored a fifty in six innings this year, while Rohit has managed only one fifty in his last 13 innings. The onus is on these stalwarts to rediscover their touch and provide stability to the batting order.
New Zealand, on the other hand, faces its own set of problems. Their batsmen struggled against Sri Lankan spinners in their recent away series, and they will now face the formidable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on Indian soil. The Kiwis will also have to contend with the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in devastating form.
India has a slight edge in terms of bowling, with Bumrah, Ashwin, and Jadeja forming a formidable trio. However, they must decide whether to field a third pacer in Akash Deep or opt for a spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel, who can provide additional batting depth.
The weather forecast predicts gloomy conditions, which could lead to delayed starts and truncated sessions. This may influence India’s decision-making regarding their bowling lineup.
As the series unfolds, the performances of Jaiswal, Gill, Kohli, and Rohit will be closely scrutinized. India will be eager to assert its dominance over New Zealand, while the Kiwis will be determined to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent.
