Can New Zealand do an England 2012 to India?
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There used to be a myth in those days that India is invincible on home soil, and Indian batsmen are the best players of spin bowling. However, an English side led by Alastair Cook, just after the New Zealand tour in 2012, revealed to the world that everyone looks invincible until they get beaten.
India have dominated majority of the oppositions in the past when it comes to playing Test matches at home, and New Zealand is no exception to this record. However, this time it seems like they can surprise India as New Zealand have a balanced squad; most importantly they have two young promising spinners.
India has always been a force to reckon with in Test matches at home for any opposition. They have dominated Test cricket for the past couple of years and are fresh from their memories of a successful Caribbean tour recently. Now, they will be looking forward to a grueling season of Test match cricket at home starting with the Kiwis. India has a history of 31 Test matches against New Zealand at home, and the Kiwis have been able to beat them only twice; that too way back in the year 1988. Even the last time the Kiwis toured India in 2012, they suffered a 2-0 whitewash at the hands of the Indian side. They were outclassed both in batting and bowling departments as the Indian spinners and batsmen proved to be too good for them.
However, the Kiwi side was quite inexperienced then. Kane Williamson had just started his international career and was yet to be the player that he is today. Martin Guptill has become a crucial part of the Kiwi side in all formats now and has tumbled many records with his batting prowess since 2012. Trent Boult has come a long way forward from that time and have plenty of experience playing in Indian conditions now; mostly because of playing in the Indian Premier League. Four years ago, New Zealand had a shaky middle order with Flynn and Franklin holding the responsibilities of batting in that position. And they used to tour Asia with a solitary spinner in Jeetan Patel. All in all, they did not have the resources necessary to challenge a mighty side like India at their den.
There used to be a myth in those days that India is invincible on home soil, and Indian batsmen are the best players of spin bowling. However, an English side led by Alastair Cook, just after the New Zealand tour in 2012, revealed to the world that everyone looks invincible until they get beaten, and that everyone is the best at something until someone does it better than them! The 4-match Test series against England at home in 2012 turned out to be a reality check for India. England beat them comfortably on their home soil and the English spinners – Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar - were the main architects of that famous series victory.
After England were totally outclassed in the first match at Ahmedabad, which India won by 9 wickets, the England team management decided to give India a taste of their own medicine. Monty Panesar was given a go in the second Test match to partner Swann who claimed the majority of the Indian wickets in the first Test. And the World turned upside down for India as the spin-duo of Swann and Panesar made the Indian batsmen dance to their tunes. The English sword, which looked rusty on one side in the first match, now looked sharp on both sides with Swann and Panesar operating from both ends. As the two spinners worked their magic with the ball, other bowlers like James Anderson also returned to form. Also the Indian spinners were rendered harmless by some classy batting by Alastair Cook who was adjudged the ‘Man of the Series’ as England won the series miraculously by a 2-1 margin after being down and out in the first Test.
That very series proved that a team can succeed in any condition provided it is well equipped in all departments of the game and the players are willing to give their best on the field. The present Kiwi side looks just a mirror image of the England side of 2012. In Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, New Zealand have the perfect spin combination that can challenge the Indian batsmen again. Nobody can forget what the duo of Santner and Sodhi did to India in the ICC World T20 earlier this year. The duo shared seven wickets between them in their first match of the tournament to register an emphatic victory over India. The Indian conditions will be the perfect opportunity for them again to prove their mettle with the ball.
Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are the most experienced batsmen in the side, and the whole batting line-up will revolve around them. Young Henry Nicholls is showing some promise with the bat as well and he is surely a player for the future. BJ Watling will be again a key player as he has been in good form lately with both bat and the keeping gloves. The man already has six centuries to his name in 42 Test matches and looks promising for more. Luke Ronchi is another keeping option and will be important for them as well. Tom Latham and James Neesham are the other young batsmen who will be looking to make a mark on this tour.
In the fast bowling department, Southee and Boult have become the mainstays of the Kiwi bowling attack over the years as they have proved their mettle in every nook and corner of the world. The IPL experience will come in handy for them as they know about the line and lengths that they need to bowl to the Indian batsmen in these conditions. Neil Wagner, who has picked up 74 wickets for in his 19 Tests for New Zealand so far, will be probably the third seamer for them. Mark Craig and Doug Bracewell along with Wagner will be fighting for the third seamer's spot.
Whether New Zealand can put up an inspirational performance to make a mark in Test cricket again or will India outclass them to maintain their superiority depends on which team executes their plans and skills well. India have their superiority at stake in this series, but New Zealand have nothing to lose. Hence, the pressure will be on the Indian side, and the young Kiwi players can take advantage of that. It may be a make-or-break series in the careers of young players like Sodhi, Santner and Latham. However, one thing is certain; it will be a series to remember for both the cricket fans and pundits alike.
