IND vs NZL: Test series on the line for Team India as Virat Kohli to resume captaincy duties

After 2 Indians Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel denied India a win in Kanpur, the 2-match Test series will be on the line when India faces the Blackcaps in the 2nd and final Test in Mumbai starting Friday.

The match will see the return of Virat Kohli as he takes back captaincy duties from Ajinkya Rahane, who might not get to play what could be his first Test on home soil. Rahane and Pujara's string of poor performances are getting longer but if it comes to dropping 1 of them, it's likely to be Rahane.

Though the Wankhede track was given a nice shave on Thursday, rain is likely to delay the start of play. Conditions on the first 2 days might favour the swing bowlers, something this New Zealand would be hoping for. Indians have always found it tough to face Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson and New Zealand might look to get in Neil Wagner as well.

Moreover, India has had an even-stevens record at the Wankhede stadium, having failed to win 3 of its last 5 games here. However, both of the 2 wins came in the last 2 Tests.

Also read: