India are set to face New Zealand in an all-format series starting on October 22. Among these fixtures, the two-match Test series is expected to attract the most attention, as both teams will be eager to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Having won six of their last Tests against India, New Zealand will be confident of maintaining their dominance in home conditions.
The tour will comprise five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests.
Interestingly, India lost the inaugural WTC Final in 2021 to New Zealand and were later whitewashed 3-0 by the Kiwis in a home Test series in 2024. 1. 2, the wickets out there, they sort of take the spinners out of the equation. So, whether India will be having a combination wherein to take 20 wickets and having that seam bowling allrounder, that generally becomes the critical part.
Ahead of the upcoming tour, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said that the New Zealand series would serve as a “motivating factor” for the Indian players. About one factor which Team India might find tough in New Zealand, Bangar said, “The thing is that generally they play to the dimensions really well, that is No. No. And if India’s batting does click in the first innings of both these Test matches, then there is a possibility (of doing well). These factors are important for any travelling team in New Zealand to do well. Basically, score well and have a pace bowling attack which can take the majority of the wickets.”
