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The excitement is building as India prepares to take on New Zealand in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. India’s playing XI looks likely to remain unchanged from their last match against Bangladesh. With the pitch favoring pace, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will once again miss out, while the focus will be on the fast bowlers to lead the charge.
A Pitch Primed for Pacers
Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have made it clear: this Indian team is getting ready for the tougher battles ahead, particularly the India vs Australia Test series. To do so, they’ve opted for pace-friendly pitches that allow their bowlers to hone their skills. Bengaluru promises true bounce, which means the Indian pace attack—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep—are set to shine.
While the Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for helping spinners, the management has requested a pitch that mirrors the conditions they’ll face in Australia. In the past, we’ve seen Chennai turn into a pacer’s paradise upon request, and Bengaluru is expected to follow suit.
Fast Bowlers to Lead India’s Charge
In the last Test match played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium (2022), Jasprit Bumrah took 8 wickets, reminding everyone of the damage India’s quicks can do. And let’s not forget the local favorites—Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep—both IPL regulars at this very stadium. Their familiarity with the pitch is expected to give them an edge as they spearhead India’s attack.
Sarfaraz Khan: A Talent Waiting in the Wings
The Indian batting lineup also remains strong, but there’s one player who has been knocking on the door—Sarfaraz Khan. Having put up incredible numbers in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz has been in the spotlight, yet he still finds himself on the bench. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill have held onto their spots, making it difficult for Sarfaraz to break into the XI, but his time may come soon.
Predicted India Playing XI for 1st Test vs New Zealand
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jasprit Bumrah (vc)
- Mohammed Siraj
- Akash Deep
Bench: Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel
With such a balanced lineup, India is well-positioned to take on New Zealand, and fans are eager to see how the fast bowlers fare on this pace-friendly track.
Who do you think should make the playing XI? Drop your thoughts below and join the discussion!
