India have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series against New Zealand and have also replaced Pakistan to become No 1 team in Test cricket. While India will enter into the Third test to strengthen its position, New Zealand will have to perform extraordinarily well to revive itself from the losses.
Let us see the players can make a difference in the third Test match in Indore from October 8:
India
Cheteshwar Pujara: He has struck form at the right time and is capable of making big scores in Test cricket. The best thing about this player is his consistency. He scored 62 and 78 in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur, while his 87 runs in the second Test proved to be quite valuable in India’s victory at Eden gardens in Kolkata. India will hope this Gujarat batsman to once again deliver for them in Indore.
Murli Vijay: He too has been quite consistent in the series. His scores of 65 and 76 were very helpful in India winning the first Test in Kanpur. Although he failed to click in the second Test at Eden Gardens, he is sure a player to watch out up the order.
Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin bowled over 30 overs in both the innings in the first Test and also got four wickets in first inning and six wickets in second innings. He is a little expensive bowler when we compare his economy rate to other bowlers but it hardly matters in Test as long as his wicket-taking abilities remain phenomenal. His three wickets in second innings of the second Test also played a formidable role in team India winning the match.
Ravindra Jadeja: He is a phenomenal bowler when it comes to bowler under favourable condition and his economy rate too is superb. He bowled 34 overs giving just 58 runs with an economy of 1.70 with 17 maiden overs. Although he managed only one wicket in the second innings, but his first inning haul of five wickets helped team India to pull out the first Test. With Ashwin, he makes a lethal combination.
New Zealand
Luke Rochi: This batsman is one of the best performers from the Kiwi squad. His 80 runs in just 120 balls in the Kanpur Test proves that with such an strike rate he can be dangerous in Tests too. His 35 and 32 runs innings in the second Test showed the glimpses of his good form. He will be the Kiwi player to watch out for.
Mitchell Satner: When the New Zealand were Struggling, Satner managed to take five wickets in the first Test in Kanpur. He is an all rounder who contributed both with the bat and the ball. He scored 71 runs in 179 balls in second innings of the first Test and proved to be a player who can play under tough conditions. He failed to perform in second Test but no one can undermine him as the whole Nz team crumbled against India at Eden Gardens.
KS Williamson: The New Zealand captain on any day can prove to be a dangerous batsman for his opponent. His score of 75 in the first inning of the first Test is a testimony to his batting abilities. He did not play the second Test but he would be a player to watch out for if he gets fit to play the third test.