In the middle of a 12-match unbeaten streak at home, India’s marauding cricket team will be aiming to reclaim the No.1 spot in ICC rankings when it takes on an unsettled New Zealand in the second Test, on Friday.
With 10 wins and two draws in their last 12 matches, India have been unstoppable on home turf in a journey that began with the 1-2 series loss against England in December 2012.
They have begun a packed 13-Test home calendar by inflicting a massive 197-run defeat over the visiting Black Caps in their 500th Test.
Having entered the three-match series one lower than Pakistan, India will also look to reclaim the number one spot on the ICC Test rankings with a victory at the Eden Test.
India did not put a foot wrong at the Green Park stadium even as Kohli’s bold move to go with a four-strong bowling attack surprised many.
The two Indian spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja – got fine support from the deteriorating Green Park wicket and they both accounted for 16 wickets.
The spin-mantra to get success at home has not changed even with the new set up under coach Anil Kumble and Kohli.
It will be no different at the Eden track, though the team think tank seems to be wary of the relaid wicket which will be used for the first time.
That means Kohli cannot afford to go with four bowlers on the Eden track which promises to offer spin only after a bit of wear and tear and leg-spinner Amit Mishra would certainly fancy his chances.
That India’s ace spinner Ashwin has a niggle – corn or thickened skin – on the middle finger of his bowling hand can be a worry for Kohli.
“I have a corn on my finger and I haven’t bowled a lot in the last 25 days,” Ashwin had said after the third day in Kanpur.
