India made three changes to their playing XI, bringing in Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav. Gaikwad will open the innings with Rohit Sharma as regular captain Shubman Gill has moved away from the team for red-ball training ahead of the two-match Test series.
Ishan Kishan has replaced KL Rahul, who will also join the preparations for the Test series.
Explaining the decision to bowl first, Iyer said: “Yes, absolutely. I think it’s about chasing, and when we looked at the wicket yesterday, there was a little bit amount of grass, but today it looks pretty dry, and also considering the dew coming in in the evening, one of the reasons we have opted to bowl first.”
Iyer also said India would treat the remaining matches as knockout games.
“Well, it’s important firstly to analyse the matches we’ve played before. We couldn’t get proper games, but still I think the approach and attitude was phenomenal, and coming into this one, we are going to definitely treat it as a knockout. So the coming two games, it’s going to be crucial and of cardinal importance,” he said.
Nine tosses in a row for Santner
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner lost his ninth consecutive toss and had a light-hearted reaction to the unusual run.
“I think it’s nine tails in a row. What were the odds on that? I won’t be going to the casino anytime soon, but yeah, looks like a great day for cricket,” Santner said.
Talking about the pitch, he said: “Yeah, it looks obviously a little bit of grass. I think it’ll still have a bit of pace and bounce, but, I think with the wind and obviously the sun, it could dry out a little bit. But it should be a good wicket.”
New Zealand also made six changes to their playing XI. Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Michael Bracewell and Matt Henry came into the side.
Explaining the changes, Santner said: “It gives guys opportunities, which is nice. Obviously building the depth of our team leading into a World Cup year and then I guess them challenging themselves against a very, very good team.”
He added: “With the schedules and stuff, I think India obviously had to do the same with the quick turnaround for the Test and then go to Australia. I think it’s probably part of what we had to do. But yeah, it gives guys opportunities, which is nice.”
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Matthew Fisher.
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