With the final day’s play slowly approaching, India will look to test the odds as they hope to defend a target of 107 against New Zealand on the final day of the opening Test in Bengaluru on Sunday. But the weather conditions could play a big role in bringing about a result.
New Zealand will be firm favourites to get the win. In the Bengaluru Test, they have shown that they can hold their own with the bat and take on either the pace or spin attacks that India possesses. But pressure could be on the Kiwis to play a bit more aggressively considering the inclement weather that approaches.
According to the data from Weather.com, there is roughly a 20 per cent chance of showers up until 11:30 AM. But post-noon, the chances of rain rise up to over 40 per cent and will continue going up to 80-85 per cent through the remainder of the day’s play with thunderstorms on the cards.
The predicted weather conditions mean that New Zealand would be planning on getting the game done and dusted within the first session. But with an aggressive approach, the Indian bowlers can also push aggressively as well to possibly get a couple of wickets to put the pressure on the visitors.
With cloudy conditions at the start of the day’s play, the pacers could look to get some decent movement with the new ball. Ashwin on the other hand could look to make use of the drift to possibly give an added dimension to the Indian bowling attack.
While the Indian bowlers will be pushed to the limits, the New Zealand side will also be under pressure to go for the win as it would make it their first win on Indian soil after 35 long years. Additionally, their chances of possibly taking a spot in the World Test Championship final would increase with a win over the table-toppers in India.
Should India go for the win, they would have to match their mammoth feat in 2004 where they defended the same total against the mighty Aussies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai thanks to the spin-trio, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik’s efforts.
Comments
0 comment