Thu Oct 17 04:43:39 UTC 2024: ## India Wins Toss, Opt to Bat in First Test Against New Zealand
**Wellington, New Zealand:** The first Test between India and New Zealand began today, with the visitors winning the toss and electing to bat first. The match was delayed due to rain on the first day, but play eventually commenced.
India made one change to their lineup, bringing in Sarfaraz Khan for Shubman Gill, who is not 100% fit. The team also opted for Kuldeep Yadav as their third pacer instead of Akash Deep. Captain Rohit Sharma revealed that Gill was rested due to his fitness concerns.
The Indian squad consists of: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand will be fielding: Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, and William O’Rourke.
The series is expected to be a tight contest between the two teams, with both sides boasting strong batting lineups and capable bowling attacks.
First Piper 