Virat Kohli is set to return to the team after a 20-day break as India face New Zealand in the second Test match, the series decider, in Mumbai. Unseasonal rain in the financial capital forced the cancellation of training sessions for both teams. 

New Zealand tailenders managed to defy the Indian spinners on a slow turner in Kanpur to escape with a draw. With Virat Kohli coming in the Indian side, Shreyas Iyer in brilliant form, the playing combinations are likely to change for the hosts.

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Iyer scored 105 and 65 runs in the two innings of the first Test. But if the team management continue with the likes of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, the Mumbai-based batsman will have to sit out. 

For the Black Caps, taking into consideration the dampness and underlying moisture at Wankhede due to heavy rains, pacer Neil Wagner might be into the equation.

Shubman Gill scored an attacking fifty in the first innings and despite his not so great defensive technique with a yawning gap between bat and pad, he is likely to be persisted with as he is being looked as a long-term middle-order solution.

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Kohli could be a straight replacement for Agarwal. The question then arises on who will open alongside Gill.

Bharat might be replacing Wriddhiman Saha, who has been suffering from stiff neck, could actually save the team management from actually taking tough calls for the match.

For the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand, they missed Wagner badly in Kanpur where his presence could have spelt more trouble for India in the second innings. The rain and a pitch devoid of sunlight could mean that both pacers and spinners would be in equation.

New Zealand’s three-pronged attack could spell trouble for India on a spiced up track and Will Somerville, who played a gutsy knock in Kanpur, might have to sit out.

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India may bring in Mohammed Siraj into the equation with Ishant Sharma looking completely out of rhythm but with turn expected, three spinners may be persisted with.

Squad India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Prasidh Krishna

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Will Somerville, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner Match Starts: 9:30 am.