BENGALURU: New Zealand entered the first Test of the three-match series against India following a string of defeats, having lost four consecutive matches, two each against Australia (at home) and Sri Lanka.
The absence of their star batsman, Kane Williamson, and a change in captaincy, with Tom Latham replacing the under-pressure Tim Southee, added to their challenges. India, on the other hand, were riding high on confidence and form, having recently dominated Bangladesh in a two-Test series.
