Rohit Sharma Wins Toss, India Opts to Bat

News Desk

Bengaluru:  India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat against New Zealand in the weather-affected first Test, which lost its opening day to rain. The match is being played in Bengaluru.

India made two changes to their lineup from the team that secured a 2-0 series sweep against Bangladesh earlier this month. Sarfaraz Khan replaced Shubman Gill as a batsman, and Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, was brought in to strengthen the spin attack, replacing seamer Akash Deep.

New Zealand, who had a Test against Afghanistan abandoned last month due to rain and suffered a 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka, also made adjustments. Tom Latham steps in as captain after fast bowler Tim Southee stepped down following the losses to Sri Lanka.

Southee remains in the team as part of a three-seam attack. Ajaz Patel, who famously took all 10 wickets in an innings on New Zealand’s last Test tour to India in 2021, is their sole specialist spinner.

New Zealand has historically struggled in India, winning just two out of 36 previous Tests, with their last victory coming in 1988 in Mumbai.

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

New Zealand Playing XI: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke.

Umpires: Michael Gough (ENG), Paul Reiffel (AUS)

TV Umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)

Match Referee: David Boon (AUS)