(Reuters) – New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the second test of their three-match series in Pune on Thursday.
Spinner Mitchell Santner came into the New Zealand side for pace bowler Matt Henry, who has a glute niggle.
“It (the pitch) might produce a bit of spin as we expect from this part of the town,” Latham said.
“It is just adapting to the surface and adapt as soon as possible. We have a good opportunity with the bat.”
Shubman Gill returned for India after missing the previous game with a stiff neck, while spinner Washington Sundar and pace bowler Akash Deep were also included. KL Rahul was dropped, along with Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav.
“Whatever the pitch is we have to play good cricket,” said India skipper Rohit Sharma.
India have won their last 18 series on home soil since 2012 but that record is on the line after the Black Caps won by eight wickets in the series opener in Bengaluru.
The final match takes place in Mumbai at the start of November.
Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was ruled out of the second test as he continues his recovery from a groin strain he picked up during their 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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