Test fantasy cricket rewards patience. Unlike a T20, you are picking players who will bat for hours and bowl long spells over five days, so role and conditions matter far more than recent highlights. Here is how we would approach the first Test between New Zealand and India at the Basin Reserve, which starts on 19 November at 3:30am IST.
These are our opinions based on form, conditions and likely roles, not guarantees. Playing XIs are confirmed at the toss, so check them before you lock your team.
Conditions to keep in mind
The Basin usually helps seam bowlers early, then flattens out. Wellington’s wind makes one end tougher to bowl from. That points towards new-ball bowlers and top-order batters who can survive the first morning. Spinners tend to have less impact here than in Asia, but they will bowl long spells late in the match.
Captain and vice-captain options
- Matt Henry (NZ): Our top pick. He is in sharp form after his six-wicket haul in the fourth ODI, he takes the new ball, and he knows these conditions better than anyone in the match.
- Jasprit Bumrah (IND): India’s best bowler and a strong choice if India bowl first. He takes wickets in every condition and will bowl the most important overs.
- Shubman Gill (IND): The batting choice. As captain he bats at three, and his returns in Tests have been strong since he took over.
- Tom Latham (NZ): A safer batting option. He opens, he has a big record at home, and he usually bats for a long time.
Wicketkeepers
Rishabh Pant is the pick if he plays. He scores quickly, and his keeping catches add points. Tom Blundell is a decent back-up, but only if he passes his fitness test.
Batters
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: High ceiling as an opener, but the Basin’s first session is risky. A good second-innings pick if your app allows it.
- Devon Conway: Back after injury. He has a good home record and leaves the ball well, which matters here.
- Will Young: He scored a hundred in the fourth ODI and is in good touch.
- Daryl Mitchell: A consistent middle-order run-scorer who often bats with the tail.
All-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja gives you runs and overs and is rarely a bad pick. Rachin Ravindra bats in the top four and can bowl part-time spin if he is fit. Nitish Kumar Reddy is useful if India pick him as the fourth seamer, because seam-bowling all-rounders suit the Basin.
Bowlers
Pick Henry and Bumrah if your budget allows. Mohammed Siraj and Kyle Jamieson are good third options. Jamieson’s height suits the bounce at the Basin. Jacob Duffy is a differential pick who could get plenty of overs.
Differential picks
- Gurnoor Brar: Only if he makes the XI, which is uncertain. He was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series. Read about his call-up.
- Glenn Phillips: Bats at six and bowls part-time off-spin, so he gives you two ways to score.
Sample team
Pant (wk); Latham, Gill, Conway, Mitchell; Jadeja, Ravindra; Henry (C), Bumrah (VC), Siraj, Jamieson.
Read our full NZ vs IND first Test preview for probable XIs and pitch notes.
Featured image: Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0