Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has highlighted the key challenge for the Black Caps’ batters during their upcoming Test series in India: the difficulty of picking balls that turn and those that skid straight through. Guptill, speaking ahead of the series, emphasized the unique challenges posed by Indian pitches, especially for visiting teams.

The much-anticipated Test series between India and New Zealand will commence on October 16 and will consist of three matches, set to take place in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. The rivalry has grown in intensity since the two teams faced off in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in the 2019-21 cycle.

“You feel like you can never score sometimes; that’s the hardest thing about coming here to India,” Guptill said. He explained that the unpredictable nature of the pitches can make scoring runs particularly challenging. “The ball’s turning square, then the same sort of ball comes through and skids on straight,” he added, reflecting on the skills required to navigate the Indian conditions.

New Zealand’s batters will need to adapt quickly to the spin-friendly environment if they hope to compete effectively against a strong Indian bowling attack. As both teams prepare for the series, Guptill’s insights underline the complexities of playing in India, where conditions can dramatically impact performance.

The upcoming series is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both sides eager to assert their dominance in the format.