New Zealand Test skipper Tom Latham warns India ahead of upcoming Test series

Newly appointed Test skipper Tom Latham is ready to lead New Zealand against India for the three-match Test series. The first game of the series starts on 16th October to be played in Bengaluru. New Zealand are coming to India on the back of a 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in the previous series. 

While speaking to the media, Tom Latham said “From my point of view it's about trying to continue doing the good stuff we've been doing. It's an exciting challenge going over to India and once we can go over there hopefully, we can play with a bit of freedom, bit of no fear and try and take it to them. If we do that hopefully gives ourselves a good chance”

Team India haven’t lost a home Test series since 2012 with England winning the series. Rohit Sharma’s team beat Bangladesh 2-0 margin and know that yet another series win will guarantee them a spot in the 2025 WTC finals. The Kiwis last toured India in 2021 and lost the series 1-0. 

After the Kanpur Test was drawn, the teams moved to Mumbai. Ajaz Patel picked all ten wickets as Mayank Agarwal scored a memorable ton and India won the game. Kane Williamson will be missing the 1st Test due to a groin injury he suffered in Sri Lanka. 

Also Check: Jasprit Bumrah's vice captaincy headlines India's Test squad against New Zealand

Tom Latham hopes to upset India’s winning run 

During his chat with the media, Kiwi Test skipper Tom Latham also said "In India, we've seen teams that have done well out there in the past have been quite aggressive towards them, especially with the bat they've looked to play a few shots, but also put them under pressure which is really important over there rather than sitting and waiting for something to happen. We'll decide on how we want to play when we get over there, but guys have got plans around how they like to approach things and hopefully, we can fine-tune those."

Meanwhile, BCCI announced its 15-member team for the three-match series against New Zealand. Yash Dayal was the only absentee as the left-arm pacer was dropped for the series. The rest of the team wore the same look that had played against Bangladesh. Jasprit Bumrah was named the new vice-captain of the side. 

India also named Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav as the travelling reserves. Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the other reserves for India. After the Bengaluru Test, both sides will move to Pune and Mumbai to play the next two games in the series.