IND vs NZ: 'Team India covered all bases,' Virat Kohli and Co grinds it out at nets ahead of crucial 2nd Test

IND vs NZ: Team India covered all bases, Virat Kohli and Co grinds it out at nets ahead of crucial 2nd Test
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The official account of BCCI shared pictures showing the cricketers grinding it out at the training session on Thursday ahead of the must-win second Test against New Zealand.

The official account of BCCI shared pictures showing the cricketers grinding it out at the training session on Thursday ahead of the must-win second Test against New Zealand.

"#TeamIndia covered all bases at the training session at the Hagley Oval ahead of the 2nd and final Test against New Zealand," wrote BCCI with pictures of fast bowling duo Jaspirt Bumrah, fielding expert Ravindra Jadeja and team's best batsman Virat Kohli.

IN the first Test, India was bowled out for below 200 in both the innings and that cannot be justified when the side is ranked No. 1 in the world. Even the bowlers struggled as they allowed New Zealand's tail-enders to score some really crucial runs at the end of their innings that eventually cost India the match.

With the 10-wicket victory, the BlackCaps are 1-0 up in the two-match Test series and in order to avoid a series defeat, Kohli and Co will have to win the second Test, which is set to begin on Saturday at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.

On the other hand, Indian opener Prithvi Shaw's skipped Thursday's net session due to a swelling on his left foot. Increasing the worries of the Indian team, Shaw, who had a poor outing in the first Test having scored only 16 and 14, is expected to undergo a blood test to determine the reason behind the swelling. If he is not declared fit, that would give Shubman Gill a green signal for the second Test. Gill, who was not chosen in the Wellington Test for the inclusion of Shaw, had a great practice session on Thursday.

It was not just Shaw but none of the Indian batters played up to their potential. India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who top-scored in India's first innings with 46 runs, has insisted that the Indian batsmen must deal with the Kiwi pacers with more intent.

"I am not saying (we have to be) more aggressive but having that intent and clear mindset will help us. I think they used that angle really well in Wellington. Bowling wide of the crease or from the centre, they changed angles while bowling the short balls. I think their plan was completely clear.

As a batsman, if you going to think about a particular shot, then you need to back yourself and play that shot. You cannot doubt yourself. We need to forget what happened in Wellington," Rahane said in a press conference on Thursday in Christchurch.

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