Weather forecasts predict that showers are highly likely on the opening day of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand. (Image: X)
Team India is one win away from matching their longest Test-winning streak as they prepare to take on New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. But inclement weather could prove to be yet another challenge for the Rohit Sharma-led side.
Team India is one win away from matching their longest Test-winning streak as they prepare to take on New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. But inclement weather could prove to be yet another challenge for the Rohit Sharma-led side as they pray to the weather gods for clear skies to match the record.
Currently, India’s longest winning streak is the seven games they played from August to November 2019 where they beat the likes of West Indies, and Bangladesh respectively to take them to a victory, seven games on the trot.
| India’s Seven-Match Winning Streak in 2019 | ||||
| Team | Opp’n | Venue | Date | Winning Margin |
| India | West Indies | North Sound | 22-Aug-19 | 318 Runs |
| India | West Indies | Kingston | 30-Aug-19 | 257 Runs |
| India | South Africa | Visakhapatnam | 02-Oct-19 | 203 Runs |
| India | South Africa | Pune | 10-Oct-19 | Innings and 137 Runs |
| India | South Africa | Ranchi | 19-Oct-19 | Innings and 202 Runs |
| India | Bangladesh | Indore | 14-Nov-19 | Innings and 130 Runs |
| India | Bangladesh | Eden Gardens | 22-Nov-19 | Innings and 46 Runs |
Now India’s streak stands at six which dates back to the second Test against England at Visakhapatnam on February 2024 where they went on to win four games on the bounce followed by the two Tests against Bangladesh recently as well.
| India’s Six-Match Winning Streak in 2024 | ||||
| Team | Opp’n | Venue | Date | Winning Margin |
| India | England | Visakhapatnam | 02-Feb-24 | 106 Runs |
| India | England | Rajkot | 15-Feb-24 | 434 Runs |
| India | England | Ranchi | 23-Feb-24 | 5 Wickets |
| India | England | Dharamsala | 07-Mar-24 | Innings and 64 Runs |
| India | Bangladesh | Chennai | 19-Sep-24 | 280 Runs |
| India | Bangladesh | Kanpur | 27-Sep-24 | 7 Wickets |
India already has concerns of their own with reports suggesting that Shubman Gill has picked up a minor injury to his neck while the veteran pacer, Mohammed Shami’s return to the side has been delayed once again due to a swollen knee.
New Zealand on the other hand will have setbacks of their own. Their preparation for the India series saw them travel to Uttar Pradesh to take on Afghanistan in Greater Noida, but the rain gods dealt a bad hand as the entirety of the five days remained washed out. They also went on to suffer a series of sweeping defeats against Sri Lanka earlier and now do not have the services of their veteran batter, Kane Williamson due to an injury concern.
Both sides have their fair share of issues leading up to the series opener but one thing both teams will be looking forward to tomorrow is clear skies so that they can get a game going.
Both sides are in the hunt for a spot in the World Test Championship final for the 2024-25 season and racking up wins would improve their chances of nailing their spot for the title-decider.
India as expected has a strong squad and will look to extend their dominance at home while New Zealand have a couple of fresh faces that they hope will adapt to the sub-continental conditions and help them gain some momentum.
