WTC Final: Why India Will Be Under Pressure To Perform Against New Zealand?

IND vs NZ: Rohit Sharma's Team India will face New Zealand in a 3-match Test series at home.

Just a few weeks after India conquered Bangladesh 2-0 in a Test series, the Rohit Sharma-led side will face New Zealand in what will be another challenge for the road to World Test Championship final. Points table leader at the moment, Team India will face New Zealand in a 3-match Test series. Kiwis are not in their usual form sitting sixth in the WTC standings but they can any day proof to be threatening even without the likes of Kane Williamson.

Tim Southee has stepped down as skipper and Tom Latham will lead the side against in his first Test assignment against India.

Head coach of India, Gautam Gambhir has some big events coming like the Border Gavaskar Trophy but he reiterated that the focus is on the three Tests against New Zealand and nothing else.

A cleansweep will ensure India's chances to qualify for WTC final and a draw or a slip-up will mount the pressure on the team in the upcoming series against Australia.

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Tuesday vindicated Jasprit Bumrah's promotion as the vice-captain for the three-Test series against New Zealand, terming the lead pacer as an integral part of the leadership group who has a lot of "understanding" of the game.

Bumrah’s elevation to vice-captaincy for the Test series, beginning here on Wednesday, came as a bit of surprise as India did not have a deputy to Rohit in the recent series against Bangladesh.

The decision has been viewed as a precursor to Bumrah stepping in as India's skipper during the tour to Australia.

PTI had reported on October 10 that Rohit is set to miss at least one Test Down Under due to personal reasons. (IND vs NZ 1st Test: Will Rain Play Spoilsport In Bengaluru? Check Weather Forecast For All 5 Days)

“Look, Bumrah has played a lot of cricket. I've played a lot of cricket with him. He understands the game pretty well. He's got a good head on his shoulder. When you talk to him, he understands the game,” Rohit told reporters during his pre-match press meet after rain hampered India’s training session.

“Tactically, I can't say much because he has not captained much. He was captain in one Test match and a couple of T20s, I guess,” he added.

Bumrah had led India in the rescheduled Test against England in 2022 and marshalled the side in the T20I series against Ireland last year.

“He understands what is required. When you are in a situation where you need a leader to step up, I think Bumrah will be one of them. So, over the past, he's always been in our leadership group,” said Rohit.

The 37-year-old said his premier pacer has seamlessly moved to the role of a mentor to the young pacers in the team. (IND VS NZ FREE Live Streaming: When, Where And How To Watch India vs New Zealand 1st Test, Bengaluru Match Live Telecast On Mobile Apps, TV And Laptop?)

“Whether it is speaking to the bowlers who have just come into the squad, whether it is getting internally with the team to discuss about how to move forward as a team, he's always been part of that leadership group.

“So, it's probably the right thing to just have him around and speak to the bowlers and internally discuss how to take the team forward,” added Rohit. (With PTI Inputs)