India in NewZealand: 3rd Test : India welcomed by cold and wet weather

Indians arrived at wellington with a indispensable lead of 1-0 and when they reached the gorund, Basin Reserve, two days before the test, there was a chill in the air and the skies overcast. The Temperature was at 10 degrees celcius and the winds blowing at around 30 kmph, 30 % of what Harbhajan bowls. The match hangs in the balance between weather and conditions more than how the teams line up. If there were tough conditions to play cricket on any where around the world, it's here at Basin reserve, Wellington, New Zealand in the month of April with the winter just strating to set in.



Having felt at home in the first 2 matches treated to Home like conditions, The Indian team will most likely find it difficult to face up with the swinging ball in the park. There is hardly any cover around the ground, the stands are grass lands with almost no height what-so-ever. A chill hangs in the air here and the Indians, so far in their comfort zone, will most likely find it difficult to negotiate the swinging ball on the park. They do not have a good record at the Basin either.

The last time they played a Test here, in 2002, the Indians were exposed, being bowled out for a mere 161 and 121 in the two innings as they lost the match by 10 wickets inside three days.

Only Rahul Dravid (76) and Sachin Tendulkar (51) could manage a half-century each in the match. However, Zaheer Khan had exploited the windy conditions very well to take a five-wicket haul. A similar show will be expected of him this time around as well. Ishant Sharma will test the NZ batsman with nippy bouncers and in swinging deliveries. That is if the weather holds good.

New Zealand have a pretty good record at this ground, having scripted massive victories — either by innings or 10 wickets. They have won three of the last five Tests played at the venue. Much is at stake as the hosts will be keen to keep their record at home against the Indians intact — India have not won a Test series in New Zealand since 1968. However, Dhoni and his men are determined to do it against the odds. It would take some application and courage though, to withstand the conditions. That the present Kiwi bowling line-up is not too penetrative and is sapped of strength having been put through the grind for 273.5 overs in Napier should work in visitors’ favor. But the Indians would do well to remember their collapse in the first innings of the second Test and not take the opposition lightly in surroundings that suit them.

The Weather looks good for the first 2 days with the Met department predicting sunny days on Thursday and Friday, weekends have been predicted cloudy. With the ground located at the base of the mountains, The chances of rain are simply unpredictable. Last time WI played NZ at this ground and most part of the match was washed out. A lot also depends on the wicket.It should offer a lot of bounce for the fast bowlers, the batsmen will be put through tough tests without doubt. But the Indians can draw confidence from the fact that five of their top six batsmen have scored at least a half-century in the Napier Test.



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Kunal Janu