'If it turns little bit more, then...': Spirited New Zealand Prepared To Tackle Rank-Turner in Pune

Having rocked India in the 1st Test, New Zealand are ready to face what may come regarding the pitch in Pune. Trailing 1-0 in the series, India would be desperate to bring the series back on level terms in the 2nd India vs New Zealand Test, scheduled to commence on Thursday. Thus, a wicket that would suit India's strength in bowling, i.e., spin, might be presented in front of the Kiwis in the 2nd Test. However, should a rank-turner propels, the visitors have a plan to tackle that as well.

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New Zealand Captain Tom Latham Undeterred Over The Possibility of Playing At a Rank Turner

Skipper Tom Latham on Wednesday said New Zealand will head into the second Test against India without any preconceived ideas about a spin-friendly surface, focusing instead on utilising their bowling options effectively. New Zealand hold a vital 1-0 lead after an eight-wicket win in the opening Test in Bengaluru.

The Kiwis bowled India out for their lowest total of 46 on home soil in the Bengaluru Test. Despite a second-innings fightback from the hosts, New Zealand held their nerves to record their first win in India in 36 years.
"Whatever we're presented with, for us it's about trying to adapt as quick as we can,” Latham told the media ahead of the second Test here.

“If it is going to be a wicket that turns a little bit more, then we've got four spinners in our line-up, that will play into their hands, but it's (also) about to try not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas,” he added.

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Plans In Place

Latham admitted he has given thought to how to utilise the spinners at their disposal. New Zealand have Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel among frontline tweakers and Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips also to roll over their arms.

“I obviously had a little bit of a think around what that may look like,” he said.

“(We will) try to get a little bit of information from previous games here and also the practice wickets that we're on, will hopefully be something around, or similar to what we're getting,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)