Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, will kick off their 3-match Test series against New Zealand today in Bengaluru. The men in blue, riding on a six-match winning streak, last celebrated a memorable victory against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Bengaluru's unpredictable weather has added an extra layer of uncertainty, as heavy rain is forecasted for the day. If the rain persists, the match could see delays or interruptions, which may play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the game. Both teams will need to remain flexible and ready to adapt to the changing conditions.

India on a winning streak

India have been in dominant form in the Test format, with key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill shining in recent matches. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will look to prove their critics wrong with some big scores, as questions about their form continue to rise. While Rohit has managed 497 runs this year, Kohli is yet to score a half-century in six innings. India has retained most of the squad from the Bangladesh Test series, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack, and Akash Deep providing additional firepower.

New Zealand face challenges without Williamson

New Zealand, on the other hand, come into the series after a disappointing whitewash in Sri Lanka. They face an uphill task, especially in the absence of their regular skipper Kane Williamson, who is sidelined due to injury. Tom Latham will captain the Kiwis in his place. While New Zealand has struggled on Indian soil in the past, they will look to bounce back under Latham's leadership, with a mix of young talent and experienced players.

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India squad: 

Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

New Zealand squad: 

Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, William O'Rourke, Jacob Duffy.