While Chahal and Khaleel are yet to break into the Indian Test team, opener Rohit, who is also vice captain of the Indian limited overs squad, was ruled out due to a calf injury that he suffered during the fifth T20I against New Zealand earlier in the month. In his absence, Prithvi Shaw has been selected as Mayank Agarwal's opening partner for the two-Test series.
India suffered a 10-wicket hiding at the hands of New Zealand in the first Test that was held in Wellington. India are the number one ranked team on the World Test Championships while New Zealand are ranked sixth but the gap is much closer in the Test rankings. India are ranked top of the table in the rankings with 120 rating points while New Zealand are fourth with 105.
