India might play three pacers in the first Test against New Zealand at Bengaluru, starting October 16. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep are the likely choices.
India Likely to Play 3 Pacers in 1st Test Against New Zealand
After dominating Bangladesh, India is set to take on New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting October 16 at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Reports suggest India is likely to field three pacers in the first Test, as part of their preparations for the upcoming tour of Australia. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep are expected to lead India’s bowling attack.
India, currently high on confidence after winning their last six Tests, will look to extend their winning run under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
New Zealand, meanwhile, comes into the series after losing their last assignment to Sri Lanka in September 2024.
1. Impact of the Bengaluru Pitch and Conditions
The Chinnaswamy pitch in Bengaluru is expected to have a fair amount of grass cover, favouring fast bowlers.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir stated “It (combination) depends on conditions, wicket, and opposition. The best part about this dressing room is that we’ve got so many high-quality players, and we can select any of them. We know they can do the job for us. That is what is called the depth,” Gambhir told reporters on Monday during India’s press conference.“We’ll have a look at the wicket tomorrow (Tuesday). We’ll have a chat and see what is the best combination to do the job at the Chinnaswamy Stadium,” he added
With the Australian tour next month, where pace bowlers are key, India is considering giving their fast bowlers more match time.
This strategic decision could help them acclimatise and build momentum ahead of the tougher overseas conditions.
2. Role of Spinners in India’s Strategy
Despite the likelihood of India fielding three pacers, their spin attack remains a significant part of the strategy.
India has included four quality spinners in their squad, including Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
Gambhir emphasised that the team’s depth allows them to adjust according to the match situation, hinting that spinners could still be a factor, especially if conditions change.
When asked about the possibility of including Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel in the playing XI for the series opener, Gambhir said, “Obviously we’ve got a lot of quality, not only Kuldeep Yadav, but we’ve got a lot of other quality bowlers in the squad. I’ve said it before as well that we don’t leave anyone out. We only select the playing 11 who can do the job for us.”
New Zealand’s batters struggled against spin during their recent Test series in Sri Lanka, so India may keep their spin options open depending on the pitch inspection before the match.
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