Cricket News : India look to spin home advantage in opening Test with New Zealand in Kanpur

India take on New Zealand in the first Test of the two-match series at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in northern India from Thursday.

The match also marks the start of a new cycle of the ICC Test Championship series for both teams, who contested in the finals of the inaugural Test Championship Finals.

Unsurprisingly, the India captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed that the game will be a test-of-spin for the visitors.

India have been fortress-like given their record in home conditions for over a decade - winning 40 of the 54 Test matches and losing only 5 in that period.

India's regular captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and wicket-keeper batsman Rishab Pant and bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah are all resting and will miss the Test.

Visiting captain Kane Williamson is under no illusion, though the upcoming spin test may seem one for the Blackcaps.

Their last series in India ended in 3-0 whitewash loss in 2016-17 and the challenge doesn't seem to have diminished even though India look less threatening with the bat.