By Alex Bell
The Black Caps are embarking on perhaps the most intimidating tour in cricket - a trip to India. And unfortunately for New Zealand, they’ve never won a Test series there.
In 10 attempts since 1955, the Black Caps have failed to come out on top.
They drew 1-1 in 1969 and nil-nil in 2003, despite posting an epic 630-6 declared in the second Test, with centuries to Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent (remember him!), Scott Styris and Craig McMillan. India was 206 behind at the start of their second innings and crumbled to 18-3 before recovering to grind out a draw. And that’s as close as the Black Caps have come.
Can Kane Williamson’s men make history this time around? The signs aren’t great.
India is currently ranked second in the world, behind Pakistan, and unbeaten in their last four series – against the West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
However, before that they endured a terrible run, with losses in Australia, England, South Africa and of course New Zealand, where Brendon McCullum hit a record-breaking 302. It’s well-documented how much less of a threat the Indian team carries away from the subcontinent.
Perhaps the biggest indication of their batting strength was the third Test against the Windies last month. Scrambling at 126-5, Ravi Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha combined for a sixth-wicket partnership of 213. Considering Ashwin is primarily there for his wicket-taking, you can see the versatility of the Indian squad. They eventually won by 237 runs, even with a day washed out.
New blood
Much like the All Blacks, India is blessed with a conveyor belt of talent.
While they’ve said farewell to batting legends Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman, the likes of 24-year-old Lokesh Rahul have stepped seamlessly into the top order - Rahul already has three centuries in 13 innings.
The Black Caps themselves have added to their all-rounder stocks with the return of Jimmy Neesham, but more critical is the form of opener Martin Guptill.
He is yet to score a century against the Indian attack in seven attempts, and managed just 52 runs in six innings against South Africa last month.
While Kane Williamson is regarded as one of the finest batsmen in world cricket, it’s imperative the openers protect him for as long as possible and set a solid platform – otherwise the Black Caps are staring down the barrel of another tour to forget.
Newshub.
