PUNE, India — New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss on Thursday in the second Test against India, with aspirations of securing the three-match series victory in Pune, located in the western state of Maharashtra.

India starts the match trailing the series 1-0 following an eight-wicket defeat in the first Test. This loss marked New Zealand’s first Test victory on Indian soil since 1988.

New Zealand’s skipper Tom Latham expressed optimism about the conditions, noting that the pitch is likely to offer some spin. He is confident that his team can adapt effectively. Indian captain Rohit Sharma echoed this sentiment, indicating he would have chosen to bat had he won the toss.

India made several adjustments to its lineup, with notable omissions including Lokesh Rahul. Shubman Gill returns to the team, while Sarfaraz Khan, who impressed with a score of 150 in the second innings of the first Test held in Bengaluru, retains his position. Gill will bat at No. 3 in place of Rahul. Furthermore, bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar replaces left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep is brought in for pacer Mohammed Siraj.

Rishabh Pant, who suffered a knee injury during the first match, has recovered and will don the gloves for this Test.

For New Zealand, Kane Williamson remains absent due to a groin injury he sustained while in Sri Lanka. The visitors made a single change from their previous match, with pacer Matt Henry sidelined due to injury; he is replaced in the playing XI by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.

The MCA Stadium pitch is characterized as a black soil wicket, similar to that in Bengaluru, but it is drier than its counterpart and is expected to favor spinners from the outset, aligning well with India’s strengths as they aim to equalize the series.

India has faced the challenge of being down 1-0 in home Test series multiple times, including series against Australia in 2017 and England in both 2021 and 2024. They managed to claw their way back to win all those series, although it’s worth noting those were all four-match series, unlike the current three-match format.

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**Lineups:**
**India:** Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (w), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah
**New Zealand:** Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke
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