Second Test: India vs New Zealand team news, pitch conditions and playing XI

India need to choose between Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir for the opener's slot that has opened up owing to the injury to KL Rahul, which ruled the right-hander out of the series against New Zealand. The second Test will be held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and the nature of the wicket will decide the team combination that India will go with for this match.

Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble chose to go with six batsmen for the first Test in Kanpur, and while India eventually ended up winning the game by 197 runs, there were a fair few moments in the match where it felt like the home team were a bowler short.

The pitch in Kolkata will not be as dry as the one in Kanpur – Sourav Ganguly has suggested there will be plenty of moisture on the wicket considering it is so early in the season -- so it might not aid the spinners enough. What Kohli needs to decide is if it makes sense to go with the extra bowler or take the safety-first, let's-protect-the-batting approach.

With R Ashwin still struggling with a finger injury – he bowled in the first Test match with that impediment – India could use an extra bowling resource, and with as good a spinner in Amit Mishra waiting in the wings, it does make sense to bring in the leg-spinner, just to add a bit more bite and variety to the bowling attack.

Mishra bowled for a long time in the optional practice session on Wednesday, suggesting the veteran could get a look-in. Kumble, speaking to reporters, refused to reveal the playing XI thinking going into the second Test, but did admit the five bowler theory could come back into play.

If it does, then it begs the question: Which batsman will make way? Kohli and Kumble have the option of sticking with the same 
batters that played in the first Test, with Pujara pushed up to the opener's position. But then, that will mean Kohli, most probably, going 
up to No.3, a position the captain does not seem to be too comfortable with in Test match cricket.

The other option, of course, is to drop Rohit Sharma, who was decent, without being great, and playing one of Dhawan or Gambhir. Dhawan batted for a long time in the nets on Wednesday, which again points to the left-hander's likely inclusion, but then Rohit's record at the Eden Gardens is second to none.

So, if India go with six batsmen again, Rohit's place should be safe, but if they go with the five bowlers, bringing in Mishra, then the right-hander could be left out.

New Zealand have injuries to deal with for this second Test match. With Mark Craig already out of the series with a side strain, Mike Hesson and Kane Williamson will also not be able to call upon the services of Jimmy Neesham, who has failed to recover from a rib injury, which kept him out of the first match of the series as well.

Jeetan Patel's flight delay – he only arrived from England on Thursday morning – is another headache to deal with, but Craig's replacement, assuming the Kiwis go with three spinners again, should be in the playing XI for the second Test match.

"Unfortunately his flight was cancelled," Hesson said. "It's fine, it is a lot easier flight than coming from New Zealand where the time difference is significant. Jeets will be fine.
"Obviously every extra day you have 
here the better but we are in a situation where we needed a pretty quick replacement. We are delighted Jeets is coming over."

Martin Guptill's poor Test form is a worry, and the Black Caps do have the option of bringing in Henry Nicholls. However, the opener is likely to get another opportunity.

Expected playing XI: India: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja,
Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav.

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, BJ Watling, Ish Sodhi, 
Jeetan Patel, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner.