Very few would have given New Zealand a chance of winning even one Test in the ongoing series, especially after the hammering they got in Sri Lanka. However, the Tom Latham-led team made optimum use of the conditions in Bengaluru with both bat and ball to surprise India and go one-up in the series.

The hosts have quickly gone back to preparing a spin-friendly wicket for the home advantage and a greater scope of drawing the series level. That said, New Zealand, too, are looking to adapt to the conditions and not going into this Test with “too many preconceived ideas”.

“I guess whatever we’re presented with, for us, it’s about trying to adapt as quickly as we can. We can’t control wicket, though,” captain Latham said on Wednesday.

“Now, if it’s going to be a wicket that turns a little bit more, then we’ve obviously got four spinners in our line-up. So, fingers crossed that will play into their hands, but yeah, as I said, it’s about trying to adapt on the run and trying not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas.”

If needed, New Zealand may drop any one of their three quicks and add either left-arm spinner all-rounder Mitchell Santner or Ish Sodhi in the XI alongside Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips. Given the hints on the Pune pitch, the Black Caps spinners may
well need to bowl the bulk of the overs.