India vs New Zealand 1st test : Mission New Zealand

India vs New Zealand 1st test : Mission New Zealand

India vs New Zealand: Virat Kohli's team to face sternest test with an eye on World Test Championship

New Zealand pace spearhead Trent Boult said he is ready to challenge India captain Virat Kohli on his return to international cricket during the two-Test series

India vs New Zealand: With the white-ball leg of the tour done and dusted, India and New Zealand will resume their rivalry in the longest format with an eye on the World Test Championship when they take on each other in the 1st Test of the 2-match series starting February 21

Since the WTC came into action last year, India have whitewashed West Indies 2-0 (away), South Africa 3-0 and Bangladesh 2-0 (both at home), launching themselves to the top of the WTC points table. With a total of 6 Test series scheduled for each team in the current WTC cycle, India will next play New Zealand, Australia (both away) and England (home) hoping to maintain their top position in order to secure an automatic berth in the final.

On one hand, New Zealand only have West Indies, South Africa and Bangladesh below them on the WTC points table which doesn't make their case any stronger but they have only played 5 matches so far with the 3-0 whitewash in Australia pulling them down the pecking order. On the other, the Kane Williamson-led side are currently the No.4 ranked Test team in the world and have the chance to go No.2 if they beat India 2-0. Though India are far ahead in the WTC race, New Zealand would certainly be looking to pocket a full 120 points to stake their own claim for the 2021 Lord's fixture. One thing is for sure, it won't be easy going for either team