India will be hoping for redemption when they host New Zealand in the second Test in Pune. The visitors defeated India by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

India’s World Test Championship hope will depend a lot on how they perform in the remaining two Test matches. Ahead of the second Test in Pune, Ravichandran Ashwin is on the cusp of a massive record. The 38-year-old is just two wickets away from becoming the highest wicket-taker in the WTC.

Ashwin has 186 wickets in 38 WTC matches and is just one wicket behind Australia’s Nathan Lyon who has the edge with 187 scalps to his name. With the pitch in Pune expecting to offer substantial turn, Ashwin is likely to leapfrog Lyon in the WTC charts in this match.

The offspinner has been a revelation on home soil and as India are eyeing that coveted spot in the WTC final for the third consecutive time, he will play a central role in Rohit Sharma’s plans. Alongside his bowling antics, Ashwin also displayed his batting skills against Bangladesh and he could be very handy in such situations.

Coming to the match, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham has won the toss in Pune and has decided to bat first.

India have made three changes to the lineup as KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav make way for Shubman Gill, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar.

For the visitors, Matt Henry sits out and Mitchell Santner has replaced him in the playing XI.

India Starting XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand Starting XI: Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William ORourke

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