Test cricket: Out of 34 Tests played in India, New Zealand has won only two

The first match of the two-match Test series between India and New Zealand will be played at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from Thursday. 

However, New Zealand will have to raise its standards to beat India at home. With Virat Kohli at rest, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is in charge of the team. Along with Rohit Sharma, Jaspreet Bumrah and Rishabh Pant are also out of the group.

New Zealand has played 34 Tests in India so far, winning just two of them. The team last won in 1988. India has won 16 matches, and the same number of games have been drawn. As a result, new Zealand's winning percentage is only 6. That is the percentage of the Kiwi team's worst win at home against any country.

The team has lost the last 6 Tests played in India. In 2016, India won three matches by a massive margin of 197, 178, and 321 runs. India also won both the Tests on the 2012 tour. The first two of the three matches were drawn in 2010. India won the last match by an innings and 198 runs.

Opening batsman K.L. Rahul will not play due to an injury in his left leg. He had a chance to open in England after Shubhaman Gill was injured. He was the second-highest run-scorer in the tour after Rohit Sharma.

Team India still unbeaten in Tests under Rahane's captaincy

India have not lost a Test match so far under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane. He has captained in 5 games, winning 4 of them. A game has been drawn. Under his captaincy, India beat Australia in the Melbourne and Brisbane Tests without key players.

Source: Divyabhshakr